Trachymyrmex desertorum. The tubercles covering the body are typical of this fungus-growing ant genus. Tucson, Arizona, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography - Insect Pictures

Farming Ants: Leafcutters and Fungus Growers

Hundreds of ant species live as farmers in the warmer regions of North and South America. These insects- a single evolutionary radiation- cultivate an edible fungus fed with bits of vegetative debris, or in the case of the leafcutter ants, with live vegetation.

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Trachymyrmex turrifex, nest entrance.

Austin, Texas, USA

Trachymyrmex desertorum. The tubercles covering the body are typical of this fungus-growing ant genus.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex arizonensis & Pyramica arizonica. The minute Pyramica arizonica (at center) is found only inside nests of another ant species, the fungus-growing ant Trachymyrmex arizonensis.

Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex desertorum workers in the fungus garden.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex pomonae

Portal, Arizona, USA

An Acromyrmex echinatior leafcutter worker displays a microbial white patch on her underside made of Actinomyces bacteria. The bacteria are thought to produce antibiotics protecting the ants' fungus garden from infection- a true example of pesticide use among agricultural insects.

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Wisconsin at Madison

Inside the spongy galleries of the fungus garden, Acromyrmex echinatior leafcutter workers display microbial white patches on their chests made of Actinomyces bacteria. The bacteria are thought to produce antibiotics protecting the ants' fungus garden from infection- a true example of pesticide use among agricultural insects.

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Wisconsin at Madison

Portrait of an Atta laevigata leafcutter ant soldier.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Portrait of an Atta laevigata leafcutter ant soldier.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Trachymyrmex desertorum. The tubercles covering the body are typical of this fungus-growing ant genus.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex desertorum. The tubercles covering the body are typical of this fungus-growing ant genus.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex desertorum. The tubercles covering the body are typical of this fungus-growing ant genus.

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Canon EOS 20D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 3294x2237 |

Current: 800x544 |

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Keywords: closeup macro formicidae myrmicinae ant nest worker ant attini red ant trachymyrmex fungus garden ant agriculture fungus growing ant trachymyrmex desertorum farming ants farmer ants tuberculate

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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013

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