linkedin post 2020-10-17 05:33:43

INSECT LIVESTOCK FARMERS. “Where most other termites rely solely on intestinal symbionts for the digestion of their woody diets, Macrotermes have partially outsourced cellulose digestion to cultures of a symbiotic fungus, Termitomyces. The fungi are cultivated on numerous so-called fungus combs that are housed in special gallery chambers within the nest. The combs are built by workers from macerated woody material that is brought back to the nest and inoculated with fungal spores. The fungi then partially digest the woody forage, and this composted material serves as an enriched diet for the colony.” Just like Leafcutter ants thousands of miles away.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12304-016-9256-5

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