All ant species in the tribe Attini (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) cultivate a symbiotic fungus (Basidomycete: Lepiotacae) in order to feed their brood. The most conspicuous members of this tribe are undoubtedly the leaf-cutter ants from the genera Atta, Acromyrmex and Trachymyrmex. These ants cut leaves, which they prepare by removing surface waxes that normally harbor fungicides, before feeding their symbiotic fungus with it. The fungus helps to detoxify the leaves by degrading the insecticides which are normally found inside the leaves. The larvae feed basically on the fungus, whereas workers feed also on sugary plant sap flowing from the leaves while they are being cut. These ants build subterranean nests in which they grow their fungus which also needs a symbiotic bacterium in order to prosper. The workers regulate nest conditions so as to maintain humidity, temperature and carbon dioxide concentrations between narrow ranges. Workers avoid contaminations from other fungi and bacteria...
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Jaffe, K. (2008). Leaf-Cutting Ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae: Attini). In: Capinera, J.L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Entomology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6359-6_1983
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