Adonis Blue Butterfly

Ants are essential to the life cycle of many 'blue' butterflies. The relationship begins after the caterpillars first moult and continues almost incessantly until the butterfly has emerged from the chrysalis. The caterpillars have organs which attract the ants and secrete honeydew and possibly other hormones which drive the ants wild. In repayment of this, the ants will protect the caterpillar from other carnivorous ants and parasitic wasps and this protection lasts around the clock. They will cover the caterpillars in earth over night to protect them. The chrysalis too gets protection and supplies amino acids for the ants and actually 'sings' to the ants. When the chrysalis is ready to open for the emerging butterfly it 'sings' again and the ants help it emerge and will guard it until the wings are fully pumped with blood and it is ready to fly away. True symbiosis in nature. It's well worth reading up on.

 

This should enlarge nicely for more detail.

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