Leafcutter Ant Workers (IMAGE) Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Caption Leafcutter ant workers carry leaf pieces down into underground nests where they use them as fertilizer for their fungus garden. Ants eat the fungus, not the leaves. Credit STRI Usage Restrictions Credit: STRI License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.