TY - JOUR
T1 - Trophobiotic relationships between ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Tettigometridae (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha) in the grey dunes of Belgium
AU - Lehouck, V. S
AU - Bonte, D. B
AU - Dekoninck, W
AU - Maelfait, Jean-Pierre
N1 - Publication Authorstring : Lehouck, V.S.; Bonte, D.B.; Dekoninck, W.; Maelfait, J.-P.
Publication RefStringPartII : <i>European Journal of Entomology 101(4)</i>: 547-553
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - We recorded the association between the planthopper Tettigometra laetus Herrich-Schäffer, 1835 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha Tettigometridae) and three ant species belonging to the subfamilies Myrmicinae and Formicinae in a coastal dune area of Flanders (Belgium). Lasius psammophilus Seifert, Tetramorium caespitum L. and Formica cunicularia Latreille were observed attending and palpating the dorsal glandular area of this planthopper, taking honeydew directly from its anus, herding them and carrying them into their nests when disturbed. The planthopper was rarely found in the absence of ants and probably develops within ant nests, which may provide protection against predation and adverse weather conditions. The natural history of temperate ant-hemipteran relationships is discussed.
AB - We recorded the association between the planthopper Tettigometra laetus Herrich-Schäffer, 1835 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha Tettigometridae) and three ant species belonging to the subfamilies Myrmicinae and Formicinae in a coastal dune area of Flanders (Belgium). Lasius psammophilus Seifert, Tetramorium caespitum L. and Formica cunicularia Latreille were observed attending and palpating the dorsal glandular area of this planthopper, taking honeydew directly from its anus, herding them and carrying them into their nests when disturbed. The planthopper was rarely found in the absence of ants and probably develops within ant nests, which may provide protection against predation and adverse weather conditions. The natural history of temperate ant-hemipteran relationships is discussed.
M3 - A1: Web of Science-article
VL - 101
SP - 547
EP - 553
JO - European Journal of Entomology
JF - European Journal of Entomology
SN - 1210-5759
IS - 4
ER -