Caligo caterpillars on a banana leaf.

Misahuallí, Napo, Ecuador
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 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 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 Formica francoeuri field ant worker tending to a pair of Great Copper (Lycaena xanthoides) larvae.  The larva produces secretions attractive to ants, and in turn the ants protect the larva from predators and parasites.

San Diego Co., California, USA
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
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
Caligo caterpillars on a banana leaf.

Misahuallí, Napo, Ecuador
Caligo caterpillars on a banana leaf.

Misahuallí, Napo, Ecuador
Caligo caterpillars on a banana leaf.

Misahuallí, Napo, Ecuador
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013