Ant-lepidopteran associations along African forest edges

Abstract

Working along forest edges, we aimed to determine how some caterpillars can co-exist with territorially dominant arboreal ants (TDAAs) in tropical Africa. We recorded caterpillars from 22 lepidopteran species living in the presence of five TDAA species. Among the defoliator and/or nectarivorous caterpillars that live on tree foliage, the Pyralidae and Nymphalidae use their silk to protect themselves from ant attacks. The Notodontidae and lycaenid Polyommatinae and Theclinae live in direct contact with ants; the Theclinae even reward ants with abundant secretions from their Newcomer gland. Lichen feeders (lycaenid; Poritiinae), protected by long bristles, also live among ants. Some lycaenid Miletinae caterpillars feed on ant-attended membracids, including in the shelters where the ants attend them; Lachnocnema caterpillars use their forelegs to obtain trophallaxis from their host ants. Caterpillars from other species live inside weaver ant nests. Those of the genus Euliphyra (Miletinae) feed on ant prey and brood and can obtain trophallaxis, while those from an Eberidae species only prey on host ant eggs. Eublemma albifascia (Erebidae) caterpillars use their thoracic legs to obtain trophallaxis and trophic eggs from ants. Through transfer bioassays of last instars, we noted that herbivorous caterpillars living in contact with ants were always accepted by alien conspecific ants; this is likely due to an intrinsic appeasing odor. Yet, caterpillars living in ant shelters or ant nests probably acquire cues from their host colonies because they were considered aliens and killed. We conclude that co-evolution with ants occurred similarly in the Heterocera and Rhopalocera.

An uneasy alliance: a nesting association between aggressive ants and equally fierce social wasps

“…We can therefore reject the chemical mimicry hypothesis that requires cuticular profile congruence as is known for the Parachartergus apicalis × Pseudomyrmex associations (Espelie & Hermann, ). Other cases of chemical mimicry are well known between ants and myrmecophiles (Akino, ; Vantaux et al ., ; Dejean et al ., ).…”

Phylogeny of the Poritiinae (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), butterflies with ant associations and unusual lichenivorous diets

“…Nonetheless, adults of many Liptenini are strongly tied to ants, and caterpillars, while nontrophobiotic and lacking the 'dorsal nectary organ' that produces secretions for attendant ants of many species in other groups of Lycaenidae, linger in ants' foraging trails and may even enter nests (Pierce & Dankowicz, 2022;Sáfián, 2015;Sáfián & Collins, 2014;Sáfián & Larsen, 2009). Many forest-dwelling species, especially epitolines, associate closely with arboreal ants in the genus Crematogaster Lund, or less often with other genera such as Oecophylla Smith (Dejean et al, 2017;Pierce & Dankowicz, 2022). While forest-dwelling species in West and Central Africa seem to have obligate associations with ants, Liptenini in drier southern Africa are generally facultatively ant-associated (Bampton, 1995).…”