Argentine Ants -- Scale Insects (IMAGE)

University of California - Berkeley

Argentine Ants -- Scale Insects

Caption

Argentine ants, Linepithema humile, are shown here tending scale insects. These ants indirectly contribute to crop damage by protecting agricultural pests such as scale insects and aphids. In return for this protection, the ants feed off the honeydew secreted by the plant parasites.

Credit

Alex Wild photo

Usage Restrictions

Contact Alex Wild at alwild@myrmecos.net for reprint permission. http://www.alexanderwild.com/gallery/1454574

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