leaf-cutting ant

[ leef-kuht-ing ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of several tropical American ants of the genus Atta that cut and chew bits of leaves and flowers into a mash that they use to cultivate a fungus garden.

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First recorded in 1870–75

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The discovery was serendipitous, says Currie, of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, who has been studying leaf-cutting ants for more than 20 years.

Still, he’s intrigued, and plans to investigate similar coatings he’s seen on other leaf-cutting ants.

Perhaps the most interesting form of animal life to be found on the Isthmus is the leaf-cutting ant.

A new myrmecophile from the mushroom gardens of the Texas leaf-cutting ant.

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