This study reports on the observation of an unusual behavior in leaf-cutting ants: foraging on wild mushrooms. A colony of Acromyrmex lundi in Buenos Aires (Argentina) was observed intensively harvesting basidiomes (mushroom ...

Leaf-cutting ants live in an obligate symbiosis with a Leucoagaricus species, a basidiomycete that serves as a food source to the larvae and queen. The aim of this work was to isolate, identify and complete the phylogenetic ...

Several factors may restrict the acquisition of food to below the levels predicted by the optimization theory. However, how the design of structures that animals build for foraging restricts the entry of food is less known. ...

BACKGROUND: Leaf-cutting ants (LCAs) are amongst the most important forestry pests in South America. Currently, their control is carried out almost exclusively through the application of toxic baits of restricted use. Here ...

The nutrient-rich organic waste generated by ants may affect plant reproductive success directly by enhancing fruit production but also indirectly, by affecting floral traits related with pollinator attraction. Understanding ...

The existence of transport networks is vital for leaf-cutting ant foraging but may generate overcrowding, reducing the input of food into the nest. We studied how ants turn at branching points, a problematic sector for ant ...

A better knowledge of the behaviors that reduce traffic congestions is essential to understand the success of the trail system despite of costs. Leaf-cutting ants use a trunk-trail system to transport leaf fragments into ...

Plants initially accepted by foraging leaf-cutting ants are later avoided if they prove unsuitable for their symbiotic fungus. Plant avoidance is mediated by the waste produced in the fungus garden soon after the incorporation ...