The adult form of this treehopper (bottom left) mimics the abdomen of the Cephalotes atratus ants that tend it for honeydew.

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

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil
A Technomyrmex difficilis worker tends an aphid for honeydew.

Orlando, Florida, USA
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
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
A Technomyrmex difficilis worker tends an aphid for honeydew.

Orlando, Florida, USA
A Crematogaster acrobat ant worker tends eucalypt scale insects for honeydew.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
A Crematogaster acrobat ant worker tends eucalypt scale insects for honeydew.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
A Crematogaster acrobat ant worker tends eucalypt scale insects for honeydew.

Harrietville, Victoria, Australia
A Technomyrmex difficilis worker tends an aphid for honeydew.

Orlando, Florida, USA
A Technomyrmex difficilis worker tends an aphid for honeydew.

Orlando, Florida, USA
A Technomyrmex difficilis worker tends an aphid for honeydew.

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