DIFFERENTIAL BENEFITS FROM ANT ATTENDANCE TO TWO SPECIES OF HOMOPTERA ON NEW YORK IRONWEED

(1) New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis L.) supports two species of honeydew-producing Homoptera-an aphid (Aphis vernoniae Thomas) and a membracid (Publilia reticulata Van Duzee)-that are tended by Tapinoma sessile Say and two species of Myrmica, M. lobicornisfracticornis Emery and M. americana Weber. (2) The benefits accruing to the honeydew producers from these ant associations are unequal and asymmetric, with aphids benefiting more from association with Tapinoma while membracids benefit more when tended by Myrmica. (3) Survivorship of Homopteran colonies is greatest when attended by the appropriate ant and lowest when ants are excluded. (4) There is no evidence that either ant affects aphid growth or fecundity. However, the size achieved by membracids is increased and the development time is decreased when ants are in attendance. These effects are greatest in Myrmica-tended colonies.

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