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An ant—treehopper mutualism: effects of Formica subsericea on the survival of Vanduzea arquata
Author(s) -
FRITZ ROBERT S.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
ecological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.865
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1365-2311
pISSN - 0307-6946
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2311.1982.tb00666.x
Subject(s) - biology , mutualism (biology) , predation , locust , nymph , ant , ecology , zoology
. 1. The numbers of Formica subsericea (Say) were positively correlated with those of the treehopper, Vanduzea arquata Say on branches of black locust. 2. The mean numbers of V.arquata on branches were greater in the second than in the first generation. However, the mean number of ants tending them was significantly lower in the second compared to the first generation. 3. Defoliation of branches resulted in a reduction in the number of mem‐bracids on branches and ant numbers declined similarly. 4. Survival of V.arquata was significantly greater when tended by F.subsericea than when ants were exciuded. 5. Ant attendance significantly reduced the number of predators on branches with K arquata compared to branches lacking both ants and treehoppers. This, in part, explains the greater survival of V.arquata nymphs tended by ants.