Apterostigma auriculatum

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

Panama; Laboratory colony at the University of Texas

Apterostigma collare

One of the most unusual fungus-growing ants hangs its fungus gardens above ground, suspended from the undersidse of lowland rainforest plants. La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica.

Apterostigma collare

A peek inside the hanging fungus garden of Apterostigma collare, an agricultural species with the unique habit of farming above ground, on the underside of rainforest leaves. La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica.

Apterostigma collare

La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

Apterostigma collare

Inside an ant fungal garden, hyphae grow over the bits of leaves and detritus provided by the ants. La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica.

Apterostigma sp.

An Apterostigma forager carries a bit of debris back to her nest. Carrancas, Minas Gerais, Brazil