The larvae of many Lycaenids (coppers, hairstreaks, blues) have a close association with ants, a phenomenon known as 'myrmecophily'. The relationship may be parasitic (e.g. Large Blue eating ant grubs) or symbiotic (in exchange for a level of protection, ants get sugary secretions). 1/3
February 14, 2025 at 9:50 PM
The larvae of many Lycaenids (coppers, hairstreaks, blues) have a close association with ants, a phenomenon known as 'myrmecophily'. The relationship may be parasitic (e.g. Large Blue eating ant grubs) or symbiotic (in exchange for a level of protection, ants get sugary secretions). 1/3
myrmecophily 🐛❤️🐜
Ants attending the caterpillar of the Speckled Line Blue - Catopyrops florinda in Native Mulberry - Pipturas argenteneus
#butterfly #hostplant #invertebrate #ant
#butterfly #hostplant #invertebrate #ant
February 6, 2025 at 1:33 AM
myrmecophily 🐛❤️🐜
Gray hairstreak butterfly on a zinnia.
Gray hairstreak butterflies are interesting because of a process called myrmecophily. This is where the caterpillar is "raised" by ants!
#bug #bugsky #entomology #butterfly #photography #nature #wildlife
Gray hairstreak butterflies are interesting because of a process called myrmecophily. This is where the caterpillar is "raised" by ants!
#bug #bugsky #entomology #butterfly #photography #nature #wildlife
March 24, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Gray hairstreak butterfly on a zinnia.
Gray hairstreak butterflies are interesting because of a process called myrmecophily. This is where the caterpillar is "raised" by ants!
#bug #bugsky #entomology #butterfly #photography #nature #wildlife
Gray hairstreak butterflies are interesting because of a process called myrmecophily. This is where the caterpillar is "raised" by ants!
#bug #bugsky #entomology #butterfly #photography #nature #wildlife
A Common Grass Blue seeking sustenance on a Native Raspberry. Like many small blue butterflies they have a mutualism with ants who protect and raise the butterfly larvae in exchange for the sweet nectar the larvae exude. This is called a myrmecophily which literally means "ant lover".
#naturelovers
#naturelovers
November 18, 2025 at 4:07 AM
A Common Grass Blue seeking sustenance on a Native Raspberry. Like many small blue butterflies they have a mutualism with ants who protect and raise the butterfly larvae in exchange for the sweet nectar the larvae exude. This is called a myrmecophily which literally means "ant lover".
#naturelovers
#naturelovers
Perhaps it's in the middle of evolving myrmecophily?
September 15, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Perhaps it's in the middle of evolving myrmecophily?
NEW PAPER! Do 🐛 use rhythm to trick 🐜? We analysed vibroacoustic signals from ants and butterflies with different myrmecophily levels. Ants and highly associated species share regular rhythms — suggesting convergent adaptation in tight mutualisms.
nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
NYAS Publications
Myrmecophilous butterflies evolved diverse adaptations to communicate with ants, including acoustic ones. We analyzed the rhythmic properties of vibroacoustic signals in two ant and nine butterfly sp...
nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
February 25, 2026 at 11:10 AM
NEW PAPER! Do 🐛 use rhythm to trick 🐜? We analysed vibroacoustic signals from ants and butterflies with different myrmecophily levels. Ants and highly associated species share regular rhythms — suggesting convergent adaptation in tight mutualisms.
nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
#LiteratureNotice Nozaki & Maruyama. Taxonomy of #Homoeusa Kraatz, 1856 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae) from the East Palearctic: II. Revision of Japanese species doi.org/10.3897/dez.... #Beetle #Beetles #hostparasiteinteractions #myrmecophily
October 4, 2026 at 3:07 AM
#LiteratureNotice Nozaki & Maruyama. Taxonomy of #Homoeusa Kraatz, 1856 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae) from the East Palearctic: II. Revision of Japanese species doi.org/10.3897/dez.... #Beetle #Beetles #hostparasiteinteractions #myrmecophily
Very happy to have contributed to this collaborative project in Sabrina Amador's lab at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. Congrats to all coauthors!! 😁
#lepidoptera #myrmecophily #carnivory #ecology #vibrations
#lepidoptera #myrmecophily #carnivory #ecology #vibrations
August 24, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Very happy to have contributed to this collaborative project in Sabrina Amador's lab at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. Congrats to all coauthors!! 😁
#lepidoptera #myrmecophily #carnivory #ecology #vibrations
#lepidoptera #myrmecophily #carnivory #ecology #vibrations
New research article! 📰
Molero-Baltanás et al. compiled the first global checklist of nidicolous silverfish, revealing over 200 species linked to ants and termites 📋
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#InsectesSociaux #SocialInsects #Silverfish #Entomology #Myrmecophily #Termitophily #InsectDiversity
Molero-Baltanás et al. compiled the first global checklist of nidicolous silverfish, revealing over 200 species linked to ants and termites 📋
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#InsectesSociaux #SocialInsects #Silverfish #Entomology #Myrmecophily #Termitophily #InsectDiversity
March 21, 2025 at 11:41 AM
New research article! 📰
Molero-Baltanás et al. compiled the first global checklist of nidicolous silverfish, revealing over 200 species linked to ants and termites 📋
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#InsectesSociaux #SocialInsects #Silverfish #Entomology #Myrmecophily #Termitophily #InsectDiversity
Molero-Baltanás et al. compiled the first global checklist of nidicolous silverfish, revealing over 200 species linked to ants and termites 📋
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#InsectesSociaux #SocialInsects #Silverfish #Entomology #Myrmecophily #Termitophily #InsectDiversity
New research article! 📰
Amador Vargas et al. document for the first time a butterfly caterpillar that starts life eating treehoppers before sneaking into ant nests to feed on their brood 🦋
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #Lepidoptera #Carnivory #TrophicSwitch
Amador Vargas et al. document for the first time a butterfly caterpillar that starts life eating treehoppers before sneaking into ant nests to feed on their brood 🦋
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #Lepidoptera #Carnivory #TrophicSwitch
September 2, 2026 at 12:23 PM
New research article! 📰
Amador Vargas et al. document for the first time a butterfly caterpillar that starts life eating treehoppers before sneaking into ant nests to feed on their brood 🦋
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #Lepidoptera #Carnivory #TrophicSwitch
Amador Vargas et al. document for the first time a butterfly caterpillar that starts life eating treehoppers before sneaking into ant nests to feed on their brood 🦋
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #Lepidoptera #Carnivory #TrophicSwitch
New research article! 📰
Ceballos-González et al. revealed that S. calyce caterpillars use tentacle nectary organs to sustain ant attendance, highlighting how these structures mediate mutualistic interactions 🐛
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#InsectesSociaux #Socialinsects #Myrmecophily #Caterpillar
Ceballos-González et al. revealed that S. calyce caterpillars use tentacle nectary organs to sustain ant attendance, highlighting how these structures mediate mutualistic interactions 🐛
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#InsectesSociaux #Socialinsects #Myrmecophily #Caterpillar
February 23, 2025 at 11:54 AM
New research article! 📰
Ceballos-González et al. revealed that S. calyce caterpillars use tentacle nectary organs to sustain ant attendance, highlighting how these structures mediate mutualistic interactions 🐛
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#InsectesSociaux #Socialinsects #Myrmecophily #Caterpillar
Ceballos-González et al. revealed that S. calyce caterpillars use tentacle nectary organs to sustain ant attendance, highlighting how these structures mediate mutualistic interactions 🐛
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#InsectesSociaux #Socialinsects #Myrmecophily #Caterpillar
New research article! 📰
Cabral et al. show that a tiny tarantula raises its young inside active leaf-cutting ant nests, exploiting them as a refuge against the scorching Argentine desert heat 🕷️
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #Theraphosidae #Arachnology #Symbiosis
Cabral et al. show that a tiny tarantula raises its young inside active leaf-cutting ant nests, exploiting them as a refuge against the scorching Argentine desert heat 🕷️
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #Theraphosidae #Arachnology #Symbiosis
August 24, 2026 at 3:12 PM
New research article! 📰
Cabral et al. show that a tiny tarantula raises its young inside active leaf-cutting ant nests, exploiting them as a refuge against the scorching Argentine desert heat 🕷️
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #Theraphosidae #Arachnology #Symbiosis
Cabral et al. show that a tiny tarantula raises its young inside active leaf-cutting ant nests, exploiting them as a refuge against the scorching Argentine desert heat 🕷️
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #Theraphosidae #Arachnology #Symbiosis
I just was led down a rabbit hole by your post. TIL about Myrmecophiles.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrmeco...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrmeco...
Myrmecophily - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
January 2, 2026 at 4:37 PM
I just was led down a rabbit hole by your post. TIL about Myrmecophiles.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrmeco...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrmeco...
Here are two myrmecophilous Dischidia that are growing nicely at the moment - Nice blooms from D. platyphilla, a shingling species - and D. pectenoides produces lovely bullate leaves (w/ nice mauve highlights!) that would host ants in the wild.
#myrmecophily #dischidia #plants #horticulture
#myrmecophily #dischidia #plants #horticulture
February 23, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Here are two myrmecophilous Dischidia that are growing nicely at the moment - Nice blooms from D. platyphilla, a shingling species - and D. pectenoides produces lovely bullate leaves (w/ nice mauve highlights!) that would host ants in the wild.
#myrmecophily #dischidia #plants #horticulture
#myrmecophily #dischidia #plants #horticulture
New research article! 📰
Shinohara et al. reveals that a thieving ant lives almost scot-free inside its host's nest without costing it a thing 🏴☠️
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Cleptobiosis #Symbiosis #Myrmecophily #AntBehavior
Shinohara et al. reveals that a thieving ant lives almost scot-free inside its host's nest without costing it a thing 🏴☠️
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Cleptobiosis #Symbiosis #Myrmecophily #AntBehavior
June 22, 2026 at 11:01 AM
New research article! 📰
Shinohara et al. reveals that a thieving ant lives almost scot-free inside its host's nest without costing it a thing 🏴☠️
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Cleptobiosis #Symbiosis #Myrmecophily #AntBehavior
Shinohara et al. reveals that a thieving ant lives almost scot-free inside its host's nest without costing it a thing 🏴☠️
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Cleptobiosis #Symbiosis #Myrmecophily #AntBehavior
While I'm here, out of interest, what benefits does Myrmecophily bring to the Cyphoderus? I'd presume it's something to do with feeding on waste in the nest e.g. fungi or decomposing matter, but I really haven't a clue
April 12, 2025 at 3:14 PM
While I'm here, out of interest, what benefits does Myrmecophily bring to the Cyphoderus? I'd presume it's something to do with feeding on waste in the nest e.g. fungi or decomposing matter, but I really haven't a clue
Myrmecophily (love of ants) is back at the Bruce Museum! Please join as I give a talk at 2pm this Sunday about how ants (and other insects) have affected our lives and our cultures throughout history. (Free with admission; registration recommended.)
brucemuseum.org/events/exper...
brucemuseum.org/events/exper...
Experiences at the Bruce: Discussion with Barrett Klein, author of The Insect Epiphany - The Bruce Museum
The Bruce is a world-class family-friendly museum of art and science in Greenwich, CT. Interactive exhibits for curious minds of all ages.
brucemuseum.org
March 24, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Myrmecophily (love of ants) is back at the Bruce Museum! Please join as I give a talk at 2pm this Sunday about how ants (and other insects) have affected our lives and our cultures throughout history. (Free with admission; registration recommended.)
brucemuseum.org/events/exper...
brucemuseum.org/events/exper...
Rhythmic Signaling of Ants and Butterflies With Varying Degrees of Myrmecophily - De Gregorio - 2026 - Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences - Wiley Online Library nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
NYAS Publications
Myrmecophilous butterflies evolved diverse adaptations to communicate with ants, including acoustic ones. We analyzed the rhythmic properties of vibroacoustic signals in two ant and nine butterfly sp...
nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
March 3, 2026 at 12:28 AM
Rhythmic Signaling of Ants and Butterflies With Varying Degrees of Myrmecophily - De Gregorio - 2026 - Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences - Wiley Online Library nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
A new study by Pérez-Lachaud and colleagues reports rare evidence of a beetle acting as a parasitoid of ants, with Phyllobaenus larvae developing inside intact ant cocoons.
Ant parasitoidism in checkered beetles: Phyllobaenus obscurus developing inside intact cocoons of two species of the Ectatomma ruidum species complex
Known parasitoids of ants include species from several families of flies, wasps, strepsipterans, nematodes, and mites. Curiously, while myrmecophily is heavily biased towards Coleoptera, one of the…
plos.io
March 23, 2026 at 3:09 PM
A new study by Pérez-Lachaud and colleagues reports rare evidence of a beetle acting as a parasitoid of ants, with Phyllobaenus larvae developing inside intact ant cocoons.
The tarantulas that decided to live with ants 🕷️
What happens when you go looking for one spider and find dozens of tarantulas living inside ant nests? A discovery nobody saw coming.
insectessociaux.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/t...
#SocialInsects #Tarantulas #Myrmecophily #DesertEcology #Arachnology
What happens when you go looking for one spider and find dozens of tarantulas living inside ant nests? A discovery nobody saw coming.
insectessociaux.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/t...
#SocialInsects #Tarantulas #Myrmecophily #DesertEcology #Arachnology
The tarantulas that decided to live with ants
by Gabriel Pompozzi Gabriel is a researcher at CONICET (National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Argentina), based at the Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas (IADI…
insectessociaux.wordpress.com
August 27, 2026 at 7:59 AM
The tarantulas that decided to live with ants 🕷️
What happens when you go looking for one spider and find dozens of tarantulas living inside ant nests? A discovery nobody saw coming.
insectessociaux.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/t...
#SocialInsects #Tarantulas #Myrmecophily #DesertEcology #Arachnology
What happens when you go looking for one spider and find dozens of tarantulas living inside ant nests? A discovery nobody saw coming.
insectessociaux.wordpress.com/2026/08/27/t...
#SocialInsects #Tarantulas #Myrmecophily #DesertEcology #Arachnology
New research article! 📰
Schneider & LaPolla demonstrate that ant-associated root mealybugs have evolved distinctive body structures found in no free-living species 🔬
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #Trophobiosis #InsectMorphology #NewSpecies
Schneider & LaPolla demonstrate that ant-associated root mealybugs have evolved distinctive body structures found in no free-living species 🔬
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #Trophobiosis #InsectMorphology #NewSpecies
August 13, 2026 at 9:16 AM
New research article! 📰
Schneider & LaPolla demonstrate that ant-associated root mealybugs have evolved distinctive body structures found in no free-living species 🔬
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #Trophobiosis #InsectMorphology #NewSpecies
Schneider & LaPolla demonstrate that ant-associated root mealybugs have evolved distinctive body structures found in no free-living species 🔬
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #Trophobiosis #InsectMorphology #NewSpecies
enjoyed this clip so much ^^
would love to learn more about ants and the other arthropods that interact with them!! myrmecophily and myrmecomorphy are really incredible topics a lot of people dont know enough about!!
would love to learn more about ants and the other arthropods that interact with them!! myrmecophily and myrmecomorphy are really incredible topics a lot of people dont know enough about!!
July 31, 2026 at 8:22 PM
enjoyed this clip so much ^^
would love to learn more about ants and the other arthropods that interact with them!! myrmecophily and myrmecomorphy are really incredible topics a lot of people dont know enough about!!
would love to learn more about ants and the other arthropods that interact with them!! myrmecophily and myrmecomorphy are really incredible topics a lot of people dont know enough about!!
New research article! 📰
S. John explains how a jumping spider slips past aggressive weaver ant patrols to steal their prey and even their brood 🕷️
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #JumpingSpider #Trophobiosis #IslandEcology
S. John explains how a jumping spider slips past aggressive weaver ant patrols to steal their prey and even their brood 🕷️
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #JumpingSpider #Trophobiosis #IslandEcology
July 20, 2026 at 8:45 AM
New research article! 📰
S. John explains how a jumping spider slips past aggressive weaver ant patrols to steal their prey and even their brood 🕷️
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #JumpingSpider #Trophobiosis #IslandEcology
S. John explains how a jumping spider slips past aggressive weaver ant patrols to steal their prey and even their brood 🕷️
🔗 doi.org/10.1007/s000...
#SocialInsects #Myrmecophily #JumpingSpider #Trophobiosis #IslandEcology
Our new paper about our favorite butterfly! Resource overlap and dilution effects shape host plant use in a myrmecophilous butterfly @AnimalEcology @deepsthlmuni @Stockholm_Uni #butterflies #phenology #myrmecophily
bit.ly/2sWUIdp
bit.ly/2sWUIdp
December 3, 2024 at 5:19 AM
Our new paper about our favorite butterfly! Resource overlap and dilution effects shape host plant use in a myrmecophilous butterfly @AnimalEcology @deepsthlmuni @Stockholm_Uni #butterflies #phenology #myrmecophily
bit.ly/2sWUIdp
bit.ly/2sWUIdp