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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Ants (Formicoidea) » Ants (Formicidae) » Formicinae » Lasiini » False Honey Ants (Prenolepis) » False Honey Ant (Prenolepis imparis)
Photo#1541682
Please identify these ants--and explain this odd behavior. - Prenolepis imparis
Copyright © 2018 Jay Cossey

Please identify these ants--and explain this odd behavior. - Prenolepis imparis
Norfolk, Ontario, Canada
June 21, 2018
I'd love to know what genus/species of ant this is, if possible.
Even more, I'd love to know what's going on in this photo!
One of the tending ants appears to be "interacting" with the Silvery Blue larva's Dorsal Nectary Organ. Is it trying to stimulate the caterpillar to produce a drop of honeydew?
I've photographed many interactions between ants and Lycaenid larvae over the years, but I've never seen anything quite like this before.

Images of this individual: tag all
Please identify these ants--and explain this odd behavior. - Prenolepis imparis Please identify these ants--and explain this odd behavior. - Prenolepis imparis
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Contributed by Jay Cossey on 22 June, 2018 - 5:12am
Last updated 15 July, 2018 - 10:43am

Moved
Moved from Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies.
… John S. Ascher, 15 July, 2018 - 10:43am login or register to post comments

The ants are Prenolepis impar
The ants are Prenolepis imparis.
… Gordon C. Snelling, 22 June, 2018 - 9:39pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks!
Much appreciated. Any idea what that one's doing with the DNO?
… Jay Cossey, 22 June, 2018 - 10:37pm login or register to post comments

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