Abstract
The larvae and pupae of the ladybird Thalassa saginata develop inside colonies of the dolichoderine ant Dolichoderus bidens. This association is the first specific and obligatory relationship recorded between ants and ladybirds. The ants provide shelter and protection to the larvae but the diet of the latter remains unclear. The integration of T. saginata larvae into the ant colonies is achieved by mimicking the cuticular patterns of the ants’ brood. Moreover, the larvae secrete substances from their hairs and anal gland that are likely to enhance their attractiveness.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Nicole Berti (Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris) for the identification of the ladybird specimens, to Andrea Dejean for proofreading the manuscript, and to anonymous referees for their in-depth reading and relevant remarks. This work was supported by the French “Ministère de l’Aménagement du Territoire et de l’Environnement” (research agreement no 92191 and ECOFOR No 98) and by the French CNRS. We would like to thank the IRD of Cayenne and Océan Vert/Radeau des Cimes 96 for their logistical support.
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Orivel, J., Servigne, P., Cerdan, P. et al. The ladybird Thalassa saginata, an obligatory myrmecophile of Dolichoderus bidens ant colonies. Naturwissenschaften 91, 97–100 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-003-0499-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-003-0499-z