Myrmelachista

is a tree-dwelling formicine genus found in the warmer regions of Central and South America. Some species engage in specialized relationships with host plants resulting in "devil's gardens", patches of ant-plant monoculture where the ants suppress the growth of competing plant species.

Myrmelachista
Workers with brood and mealybugs inside a domatium of a Tococa plant. Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Myrmelachista
Workers with brood and mealybugs inside a domatium of a Tococa plant. This ant's gaster is swollen with honeydew collected from the mealybugs. Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador
Myrmelachista
Workers with mealybugs inside a domatium of a Tococa plant. Jatun Sacha reserve, Napo, Ecuador

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