Ant-aphid mutualism

Pronunciation: /ant af-id myoo-chuh-liz-uhm/

Category: Behavior

Definition

A symbiotic relationship between ants and aphids where ants protect aphids from predators and parasites in exchange for sugary honeydew secretions produced by the aphids.

Etymology

From Latin 'formica' (meaning 'ant') and New Latin 'Aphis' (a genus of aphids) + 'mutualism', a term describing a mutually beneficial relationship.

Example

The ant-aphid mutualism is a classic example of symbiosis, where both partners benefit from the interaction.

Related Terms

Aphids
Ants
Symbiosis
Honeydew

Usage Notes

This mutualism has evolved over millions of years and plays a crucial role in the survival of both ants and aphids.