Page 261 of 559
Biological Sciences Division
Research Highlights
March 2012
Bacteria Tend Leafcutter Ants' Gardens
Microbes turn leaves into nutrients; knowledge could improve biofuel production
Leafcutter ants, the tiny red dots known for carrying green leaves as they march through tropical forests, are also talented farmers that cultivate gardens of fungi and bacteria. Ants eat fungi from the so-called fungal gardens, but the bacteria's role has been unclear until now.

For more information, read the PNNL news release.
Page 261 of 559