Bushier plants can result when lateral bud development is stimulated by the destruction of growing tips. Root-feeding insects may stimulate similar changes in root systems. Some plant species have developed mutually beneficial relationships with ants. Most ant species do not feed on plants, but by wandering all over the plant they discourage the presence of other insects, some of which are herbivores at some stage in their lives. Bull-horn acacias provide homes for ants in their thorns.
Some plants provide extrafloral nectaries to attract ants.
Hosting colonies of these sap-sucking insects might be regarded as a tradeoff that some plants make to enlist the protection of ants. Because their colonies are so large, leaf cutter ants, which do feed on plants, can influence the local distribution of plants. Harvester ants assist in the distribution of plant seeds. All insects, whether or not they feed on plants, are important to plants because they transport, concentrate and recycle precious nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and trace minerals. Carnivorous plants, like sundews and pitcher plants, supplement their diets with trapped insects.