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Asian Weaver Ants

Oecophylla smaragdina

Photo by John B.
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

The Ants in the photo are Asian Weaver Ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) and they are engaged in an interaction with Mealybugs (Scale Insects from the family Pseudococcidae). Wikipedia's article, on Mealybugs, explains that "Some ants live in symbiotic relationships with them, protecting them from predators and feeding off the honeydew which they excrete."

Habitat:

These Asian Weaver Ants and Mealybugs were spotted, behind our house on Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus L.), known in the Philippines as Bataw. Plant information is from http://www.stuartxchange.org/Bataw.....

Notes:

Asian Weaver Ants are also known to "herd" aphids and protect them from predation, in return for honeydew.

Reference Links:

Weaver ant - Wikipedia, Mealybug - Wikipedia

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
John B.
Hi Francis, Thank you so much for your comment. I just saw it this morning and I think you are right. I am busy with something else at the moment, but I will look at these ants again, in an hour or two, and revise this spotting accordingly. Thanks for your help.
Francis Floe
Hi John B. the ants in the pic are likely not Asian Weaver ants as they look stockier and shorter. I believe those are Tropical Fire ants (Solenopsis sp.), wich are invasive, the ones that itch and hurt alot when they bite

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Interaction between different species of Arthropods
Mission
ANTS!!!!
Mission
Backyard Habitats of the World
Mission
Philippine Wildlife
Mission
Philippine Biodiversity
Photographed
PublishedOctober 4, 2024

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