Larvae of the green lacewing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mallada desjardinsi</Emphasis> (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) protect themselves against aphid-tending ants by carrying dead aphids on their backs |
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Authors: | Masayuki Hayashi Masashi Nomura |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Faculty of Horticulture, Chiba University, Matsudo Chiba, 271-8510, Japan;(2) Present address: Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, Matsudo Chiba, 271-8510, Japan |
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Abstract: | Larvae of the green lacewing Mallada desjardinsi Navas are known to place dead aphids on their backs. To clarify the protective role of the carried dead aphids against ants and
the advantages of carrying them for lacewing larvae on ant-tended aphid colonies, we carried out some laboratory experiments.
In experiments that exposed lacewing larvae to ants, approximately 40% of the larvae without dead aphids were killed by ants,
whereas no larvae carrying dead aphids were killed. The presence of the dead aphids did not affect the attack frequency of
the ants. When we introduced the lacewing larvae onto plants colonized by ant-tended aphids, larvae with dead aphids stayed
for longer on the plants and preyed on more aphids than larvae without dead aphids. Furthermore, the lacewing larvae with
dead aphids were attacked less by ants than larvae without dead aphids. It is suggested that the presence of the dead aphids
provides physical protection and attenuates ant aggression toward lacewing larvae on ant-tended aphid colonies. |
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