Patch fidelity in Camponotus compressus ants foraging on honeydew secreted by treehoppers

Abstract

Camponotus compressus ants are thought to be mutualistic with plant sap-sucking insects such as aphids and treehoppers, where the ants provide protection from predation and/or help maintain hygiene, in exchange for sugar-rich honeydew secreted by sapsuckers. We studied the foraging strategies and ant–treehopper interactions among C. compressus ants and Oxyrachis tarandus tree-hoppers on the plant Bauhinia tomentosa. We found that ants show fidelity to specific patches of B. tomentosa. We also found a significant correlation between hopper number and the number of visiting ants in foraging patches. Our study raises many questions about the ant–treehopper mutualism, navigation strategies and optimal foraging in C. compressus.