Farming of Caterpillars (Lepidoptera) by Ants caterpillars of the butterfly family Lycaenidae have mutualistic relationships with ants&#151;these are most complex in the blue butterflies where the relationships are between single species pairs of butterflies and ants the caterpillars feed on plants through their third instar, then fall to the ground where they are picked up by the ants and carried back to their nest&#151;the caterpillars mimic ant larvae chemically and behaviorally the ants protect the caterpillars from predators and parasitoids, as well as feeding them plant material in return, the caterpillars supply the ants with sugary secretions produced by &quot;honey glands&quot; when they are stroked by the ants&#146; antennae&#151;the caterpillar secretions may also include an addictive chemical!
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