Trachymyrmex arizonensis

A foundress queen in her incipient fungus garden. Notice the fine white hyphae of the mutualistic fungus as it grows over the substrate of vegetative debris she has provided for it. Tucson, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex arizonensis

Portal, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex arizonensis & Strumigenys arizonica

The minute Strumigenys arizonica (at center) is found only inside nests of another ant species, the fungus-growing ant Trachymyrmex arizonensis. Sycamore Canyon, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex desertorum

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex desertorum

The tubercles covering the body are typical of this fungus-growing ant genus. Tucson, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex desertorum

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex desertorum

Trachymyrmex desertorum workers in the fungus garden. Tucson, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex dichrous nest cast

A metal nest casting of the fungus-growing ant Trachymyrmex dichrous reveals the large chamber holding a fungus garden and a single access tunnel. The casting was made by myrmecologist Christian Rabeling. Brazil.

Trachymyrmex pomonae

Portal, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex pomonae

Queen in her fungus garden. Portal, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex pomonae

A Trachymyrmex pomonae forager carries a flower petal back to her nest. The petal will be fed to the colony's fungus garden. Portal, Arizona, USA

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

A fungus-farming ant worker carrys sand excavated from deep in the nest. Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis 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

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

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

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

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis fungus-growing ant. Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Fungus-growing ant. Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis in the fungus garden. Laboratory colony at the University of Texas

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 ant nest. Smithville, Texas, USA

Trachymyrmex septentrionalis fungus-growing ant, in motion. Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA