Camponotus brutus tends waxy scale insects for honeydew.

Entebbe, Uganda
A Nylanderia worker tends to a scale insect for honeydew.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
A Nylanderia worker tends to a scale insect for honeydew.

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
Formicine ants are often dependent on honeydew-producing insects.  Here, Lepisiota sp. workers tend to scale insects in a South African forest.

St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa
Formicine ants are often dependent on honeydew-producing insects.  Here, Lepisiota sp. workers tend to scale insects in a South African forest.

St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa
A pair of Prenolepis imparis workers tend a scale insect for honeydew.

Del Puerto Canyon, California, USA
Camponotus rosariensis ant tending scale insects for honeydew.  Notice that the younger scale insects have legs.  These first instar scale are more mobile than the older instars, which settle down once they find a good spot for feeding.

Frías, Santiago de Estero, Argentina
Camponotus rosariensis ant tending scale insects for honeydew

Frías, Santiago de Estero, Argentina
Camponotus rosariensis worker ants tending scale insects for honeydew.

Frías, Santiago de Estero, Argentina
Camponotus brutus tends waxy scale insects for honeydew.

Entebbe, Uganda
Camponotus brutus tends waxy scale insects for honeydew.

Entebbe, Uganda
Camponotus brutus tends waxy scale insects for honeydew.

Entebbe, Uganda
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013