Trachymyrmex septentrionalis. Fungus-growing ants use a variety of substrates to nourish their cultivars, but caterpillar frass is one of the richest.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis in the fungus garden.

Laboratory colony at the University of Texas
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis fungus-growing ant.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
A Trachymyrmex septentrionalis male ascends a leaf to embark on an afternoon mating flight in the Florida sand scrub.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis workers carrying sand excavated from deep in the nest.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis.  Trachymyrmex are the closest relatives of the larger leafcutting ants. While they normally use dead vegetative debris to cultivate their fungus, these ants will sometimes use living plant matter.  

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis worker carrying sand excavated from deep in the nest.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
A Trachymyrmex septentrionalis male ascends a leaf to embark on an afternoon mating flight in the Florida sand scrub.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis worker carrying sand excavated from deep in the nest.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis. Fungus-growing ants use a variety of substrates to nourish their cultivars, but caterpillar frass is one of the richest.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis. Fungus-growing ants use a variety of substrates to nourish their cultivars, but caterpillar frass is one of the richest.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
Trachymyrmex septentrionalis. Fungus-growing ants use a variety of substrates to nourish their cultivars, but caterpillar frass is one of the richest.

Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013