Lasius (Acanthomyops) californicus citronella ants with their underground "cattle": mealybugs that produce honeydew. Mojave National Preserve, California, USA - Alex Wild Photography - Insect Photography

Symbioses

Images of animals that cooperate or live with ants to the benefit of both.

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

Morretes, Paraná, Brazil

Dorymyrmex insanus workers tending a treehopper for honeydew.

Portal, Arizona, USA

Ten centimeters below ground, Pheidole ants tend ground pearls (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) for honeydew. Ground pearls are sap-feeding insects that exude excess sugar attractive to ants, while the ants help transport the young insects to new plants.

Icononzo, Tolima, Colombia

Linepithema micans astride a ground pearl. The "pearl" is actually a honeydew-producing scale insect that feeds on the sap of roots.

Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Ground pearls are the large, sedentary adult forms of root-sap feeding insects. Here, two Eurhizococcus brasiliensis hang suspended from grape roots deep underground while a Linepithema micans ant gathers the honeydew exuded by the pearls. These insects are significant pests in Brazilian vineyards.

Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Ants and scale insects are often tight ecological associates, even under the soil. Here, a first instar ground pearl (Eurhizococcus brasiliensis) is carried by a Linepithema micans worker. The ground pearls produce honeydew that feeds the ants, while the ants protect the pearls and carry their young to new host plants.

Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Linepithema humile, the Argentine ant, tending a citrus scale insect for honeydew.

Davis, California, USA

Lasius (Acanthomyops) arizonicus citronella ant tending to a mealybug. The common name of these distinctive orange ants derives from the sweet citronella odor they release when disturbed.

Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, USA

Lasius (Acanthomyops) californicus citronella ants with their underground "cattle": mealybugs that produce honeydew.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA

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Symbioses

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