Cyphomyrmex rimosus carrying caterpillar frass back to the nest where it will be fed to the colony's fungus garden.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
Cyphomyrmex rimosus carrying caterpillar frass back to the nest where it will be fed to the colony's fungus garden.

Gainesville, Florida, USA
Trachymyrmex foragers bring bits of detritus back to the nest.

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia
An Acromyrmex niger leafcutter ant worker makes a characteristically circular cut in a citrus leaf.

Monte Verde, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Atta laevigata is recognizeable by the giant shiny head of the soldiers.

Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
An Acromyrmex niger leafcutter ant worker makes a characteristically circular cut in a citrus leaf.

Monte Verde, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Atta texana

Laboratory colony at the University of Illinois
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
Atta texana

Laboratory colony at the University of Illinois
Atta texana

Laboratory colony at the University of Illinois
Atta texana

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