摘要 : Ants are the only group of insects that have metapleural glands. Secretions of these exocrine glands are known to have antibiotic properties and have been hypothesised to function as a general defence against microbial and fungal ... 展开 Ants are the only group of insects that have metapleural glands. Secretions of these exocrine glands are known to have antibiotic properties and have been hypothesised to function as a general defence against microbial and fungal infections. Such defences are likely to be particularly important in leaf-cutting ants that need to protect both themselves and their clonal mutualistic fungus against pathogens. 收起