The article discusses the intricate relationship between four species in South Texas: leafcutter ants, fungus, tiny cockroaches, and a parasitic micro-fungus called Escovopsis. The leafcutter ants cultivate fungus as a food source, while the cockroaches feed opportunistically off the fungus. However, the ants have to defend against the parasitic fungus Escovopsis, which can destroy their fungal gardens and the entire ecosystem that depends on it.