A mutualism without honeydew: what benefits for Melissotarsus emeryi ants and armored scale insects (Diaspididae)?

ABSTRACT: Mutualisms between ants and sap-sucking insects generally involve clear benefits for both partners: the ants provide protection in exchange for honeydew. However, a single ant genus associates with armoured scale insects (Diaspididae) that do not excrete honeydew. We studied three colonies of Melissotarsus emeryi ants from two localities in Mozambique. Vast numbers of the diaspidid Morganella conspicua occupied galleries dug by the ants under the bark of living trees. Unlike free-living M. conspicua and other diaspidids, M. conspicua living with ants are known to lack shields, likely because they gain protection against enemies and desiccation. Nevertheless, we documented the occurrence of rare individuals with shields inside ant galleries, indicating that their

SUBMITTER: Peeters C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5530990 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature