"And all men shall fear [respect], and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of His doing." Psa. 64:9,
We have just considered how these amazing leaf-cutting ants gather green leaves for a food supply in their nests. What kinds of leaves do they gather? They are chosen with care and always with a preference for orange, lemon, lime or grapefruit leaves. This presents a real problem for fruit growers who discover all the leaves from a single tree removed during one night's time.
What do the ants do with these leaves? Here again we see an amazing procedure in the wonders of God's creation. Awaiting delivery of them by the carriers (mentioned in last week's paper) are great numbers of workers who accept them and chew them up into a pulp (but do not swallow them). This pulp is turned over to yet other workers who coat it with an acid-like moisture before taking it to a storage area inside the nest.
While waiting many days for this to ferment and produce a coating 01 fungus, all deposits are carefully guarded by still other workers. Soon the fungus appears all over the surface of the pulpy pile, and this becomes the main food of the colony.
As this busy program goes on day and night, a certain amount of food spoils. There is also a problem of foreign insects coming in and being killed, as well as the death of some workers. Being very clean creatures, it is the duty of some to dispose of such things by carrying them promptly to an outside "garbage dump."
The methodical ants have a highly developed method of distributing the fungus food, which is the responsibility of another group of workers. They deal it out as follows: tiny workers who just tend the garden and feed the babies get the least amount; leaf-cutters and carriers get portions sufficient to keep up their strength; and the biggest amount goes to soldiers who fiercely defend the nest when necessary and to the queen and "princesses" (who will soon be starting colonies of their own). These latter ones really get the "cream of the crop."
If human beings tried such a program, long training would be. required, and even then there would be many who wouldn't work out too well. But the ants need no training. Each one just goes into its act as it is able and stays on the job for its lifetime. This is another example of the Creator showing His care for all His creation and reminds us of His word in the Bible: "Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." Prov. 6:6-8. Let us each prepare for a future eternity by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior today.