Fungus farming inside leafcutter ant colonies

Leafcutter ants in the genus *Atta* have refined fungus farming for millions of years. Each colony tends subterranean gardens where a basidiomycete fungus becomes the main food source. ### A finely tuned cycle - Worker foragers harvest leaf fragments, chewing them with antimicrobial saliva. - Gardeners deposit the substrate in chambers with carefully regulated humidity and temperature. - Specialist castes remove contaminants and trim the fungus to encourage optimal growth. ### Why it matters This agricultural system illustrates how cooperation and specialization can create self-sustaining ecosystems within a colony. It also offers lessons for sustainable agriculture and long-term symbiotic partnerships.