Fungal Cultivar

The fungi cultivated by leaf-cutter ants exist only in ant colonies - they cannot survive independently. They convert plant material brought by ants into nutrients the ants can digest, including providing enzymes to break down cellulose. In return, ants provide fresh substrate and protect the fungus from pathogens and competitors.

This absolute interdependence means the fungus has no option to defect - its survival is completely tied to ant colony success.