Fungus-growing ants

Fungus-growing ants, primarily from the tribe Attini, cultivate fungi as their primary food source. They harvest plant material like leaves, which they deposit in their underground nests. These ants then inoculate the material with specific fungi, which they carefully tend and protect from pests and mold. The fungi break down the plant matter, producing edible structures that serve as the ants' main nutrition. This mutualistic relationship allows the ants to efficiently convert plant material into a digestible form, supporting complex social colonies. Notable examples include leafcutter ants, which are among the most well-known fungus farmers in the insect world.