Mealybug farming by ants!

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Ants associated with mealybugs

You may think that the ants are eating the white creatures (mealybugs). But they are actually providing them protection in exchange for some food.

The mealybugs secrete honeydew, on which the ants feed. The ants are known to farm mealybugs by protecting them, moving them from one plant to another, and later harvesting the honeydew.


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