Leafcutter ants build massive underground cities in Central and South America

Leafcutter ants in Central and South America construct massive underground tunnel networks that can rival the size of a tennis court. These subterranean structures include specialized chambers for nurseries, storage, waste, and fungus farms used for underground agriculture.

Researchers have utilized latex and plaster casting to study these hidden architectures, revealing colonies containing approximately 6 million ants. These activities significantly impact ecosystems by reshaping soil, moving plant matter, and altering nutrient movement in forests and grasslands.

In addition to native leafcutters, the invasive South American Argentine ant poses an ecological threat. Outside its native range, the Argentine ant forms massive supercolonies, including one in Europe stretching 6,000 kilometers. These invasive colonies can displace native insects, reduce biodiversity, and disrupt environmental stability in gardens and farms.