Apterostigma auriculatum fungus-growing ants are true agriculturalists.  They subsist on a fungus they cultivate with bits of collected detritus.

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Apterostigma auriculatum

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Apterostigma auriculatum

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Apterostigma auriculatum

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Apterostigma auriculatum

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Apterostigma auriculatum in the fungus garden.

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Apterostigma auriculatum fungus-growing ants are true agriculturalists.  They subsist on a fungus they cultivate with bits of collected detritus.

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Apterostigma auriculatum

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Apterostigma auriculatum

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Apterostigma auriculatum

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Apterostigma auriculatum

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013