Some species of Cyphomyrmex fungus-growing ants are unusual in cultivating their fungus in yeast form. Rather than spongy white mycelia, the gardens of these ants are full of bite-sized white yeast globules.

Mindo, Ecuador
An ambitious Cyphomyrmex forager carries a piece of insect frass back to the nest. These ants feed exclusively on a fungus that grows on the bits of detritus they gather.

Mindo, Ecuador
Atta texana

Laboratory colony at the University of Illinois
Atta cephalotes leafcutter ants.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador
Small Atta cephalotes workers riding cut leaves.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador
Atta cephalotes leafcutter ants, minor worker riding a leaf.

Maquipucuna reserve, Pichincha, Ecuador
Some Cyphomyrmex species cultivate their fungus as a yeast, visible here as little white globules.

Mindo, Ecuador
An ambitious Cyphomyrmex forager carries a piece of insect frass back to the nest. These ants feed exclusively on a fungus that grows on the bits of detritus they gather.

Mindo, Ecuador
Some species of Cyphomyrmex fungus-growing ants are unusual in cultivating their fungus in yeast form. Rather than spongy white mycelia, the gardens of these ants are full of bite-sized white yeast globules.

Mindo, Ecuador
Some species of Cyphomyrmex fungus-growing ants are unusual in cultivating their fungus in yeast form. Rather than spongy white mycelia, the gardens of these ants are full of bite-sized white yeast globules.

Mindo, Ecuador
Some species of Cyphomyrmex fungus-growing ants are unusual in cultivating their fungus in yeast form. Rather than spongy white mycelia, the gardens of these ants are full of bite-sized white yeast globules.

Mindo, Ecuador
Some species of Cyphomyrmex fungus-growing ants are unusual in cultivating their fungus in yeast form. Rather than spongy white mycelia, the gardens of these ants are full of bite-sized white yeast globules.

Mindo, Ecuador
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013