The ants and fungus are both living organism that depend on each other for survival. The fungus gardens provide food and shelter for the ants.
Ants eat the enlarged ends of fungus stalks.
They keep their eggs and larvae within the fungus mass. In return, the ants give food and protection to the fungus. The ants cut leaves and flowers as substrate for the fungus to grow on. They fertilize it with special droplets produced by their bodies. Discovery Gallery L eafcutter ants lead a highly structured social existence.