Liometopum occidentale velvety tree ant workers tending larvae of the copper butterfly Lycaena xanthoides. The caterpillars produce a substance attractive to the ants, and the ants provide protection from predators and parasites. Kern County, California, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Symbioses

Images of animals that cooperate or live with ants to the benefit of both.

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A Technomyrmex difficilis white-footed ant tends to aphids for honeydew. The aphids gain protection from predators in exchange for their sweet exudates.

Orlando, Florida, USA

Stigmacros worker ants with an Anthrenocerus dermestid beetle larva. The beetle is likely a commensal inhabitant of the ant's nest, taking advantage of the ants' climate-controlled colony while feeding on debris around the nest.

Yandoit, Victoria, Australia

Liometopum occidentale velvety tree ant workers tending larvae of the copper butterfly Lycaena xanthoides. The caterpillars produce a substance attractive to the ants, and the ants provide protection from predators and parasites.

Kern County, California, USA

Papyrius nitidus workers tend hemipteran nymphs on a tree in northern Australia.

Iron Range National Park, Queensland, Australia

A Formica francoeuri field ant worker tending to a Lycaena xanthoides larva. The larva produces secretions attractive to ants, and in turn the ants protect the larva from predators and parasites.

San Diego Co., California, USA

A Formica francoeuri field ant worker tending to the larva of a Great Copper butterfly (Lycaena xanthoides). The caterpillar produces secretions attractive to ants, and in turn the ants protect the caterpillar from predators and parasites.

San Diego Co., California, USA

A Crematogaster acrobat ant worker tends eucalypt scale insects for honeydew.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia

Technomyrmex albipes - white-footed ant tending to a mealybug (Pseudococcidae) for honeydew.

Cape Tribulation, Queensland, Australia

Pheidole minor workers tend scale insects for honeydew.

Entebbe, Uganda

Liometopum occidentale velvety tree ant workers tending larvae of the copper butterfly Lycaena xanthoides. The caterpillars produce a substance attractive to the ants, and the ants provide protection from predators and parasites.

Kern County, California, USA

Canon EOS 20D |

More details: exif |

Original size: 3261x2262 |

Current: 800x555 |

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Keywords: bugs ants caterpillar tending insects biology caterpillars lepidoptera ecology arthropods symbiosis formicidae lycaenidae dolichoderinae liometopum occidentale great copper

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Symbioses

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