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Podomyrma adelaidae - muscleman tree ant
South Australia

photograph © Alex Wild 2005

A Podomyrma ant tends to a Lycaenid caterpillar.  These caterpillars secrete substances that the ants find attractive, and the ants in turn provide protection from parasites.

 
Australia, SA: Poochera.
32º43'S 134º50'E, 85m, 15.x.2005
Parkland, ants foraging on Acacia.
blue butterfly, lycaenidae, lycaenid, ant caterpillar interactions


This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS D60, using a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.