Ficus megaleia (female): Ants farming leaf eating bugs, Brunei
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Ficus megaleia growing at Bukit Patoi near Bangar, Temburong, Brunei. A close look indicates that many of the leaves have been partially eaten by some folivorous insect. All photos taken by Arlene Walshe in March 2019Many of leaves have suffered damaged similar to the leaf shown above.Note that the thin bark covering the main vein has been almost stripped clear.
There were numerous black ants living in the hollow twigs. Note the brown access slit in the twig in the photo above. But what are the ants feeding on ?Note the swollen petiole (leaf stalk) used for housing (domatia) by the antsThe ants are tending a bizarre black caterpillar on the underside of the leaf. Presumably the ants are feeding on some product produced by the caterpillar.
