Dive deep into the world of nature’s most sophisticated farmers: the leafcutter ants. In this episode, we uncover how these tiny insects have perfected an agricultural system millions of years before humans. Discover their incredible division of labor—from foragers and gardeners to soldiers—and explore the fascinating fungus they cultivate in subterranean farms. We’ll also learn how a colony functions as a true superorganism, communicating and collaborating without a central leader.

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** This episode was dubbed from Portuguese to English using the Eleven Labs artificial intelligence tool **

CREDITS

Script: Maria Eduarda Lima Vieira and Carolina Rodrigues dos Santos

Guest Researchers: Juliane Lopes and Isabella Bueno

Automatic Dubbing: ElevenLabs (funded by PPG-PSE-USP PROEX funding)

Editing: Carolina Rodrigues dos Santos

Soundtrack: Radiadora Sonorização

Visual Identity: Maria Eduarda Lima Vieira