Ferns and flowers bribe helpful ant defenders with nectar, but ferns developed this ability much later – our study shows why
But other plants produce different types of nectar glands called extrafloral nectaries. Plants produce these glands to bribe ...
National Geographic news1y
Ants, facts and information
Ants communicate and cooperate by secreting pheromones, or scent chemicals, that can alert others to danger or lead them to a promising food source. They typically eat nectar, seeds, fungus ...
Indiana Public Media5d
Ant Ranchers and Caterpillars
The caterpillars of these butterflies develop special glands that secrete a nectar-like substance to attract ants. The ants ...
Knowridge Science Report12d
Why the Velvet Ant’s sting is one of the most painful in nature
The Scarlet Velvet Ant, which is actually a type of wasp, has a sting so painful that it feels like hot oil spilling over ...
EurekAlert!1mon
Mutualistic interaction between caterpillars and ants is highly specific, study shows
Some families of caterpillars (larvae of butterflies and moths) have developed a specific kind of interaction with ants. One of these families (Riodinidae) includes two species that interact ...
Nature3y
Omnivorous Insects: Evolution and Ecology in Natural and Agricultural Ecosystems
These insects consume prey to varying extents, and utilize plant resources in diverse ways, some directly feeding on plant tissues (e.g. true bugs) and others just on nectar (e.g. wasps and ants).