Tapinoma sessile tending aphids on bergamot while a parasitic wasp (Braconidae: Aphidiinae) slips in to lay eggs in the aphids.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Myrmelachista workers with mealybugs inside a domatium of a Tococa plant. 

Jatun Sacha reserve, 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
Tapinoma sessile tending aphids on bergamot while a parasitic wasp (Braconidae: Aphidiinae) slips in to lay eggs in the aphids.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Tapinoma sessile tending aphids on bergamot while a parasitic wasp (Braconidae: Aphidiinae) slips in to lay eggs in the aphids.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Tapinoma sessile tending aphids on bergamot while a parasitic wasp (Braconidae: Aphidiinae) slips in to lay eggs in the aphids.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013