Izvestiya of Saratov University.
ISSN 1816-9775 (Print)
ISSN 2541-8971 (Online)


South Zauralye

Trophobiotic Associations between Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) and Aphids (Hemiptera, Aphidomorpha) in South Zauralye

Trophobiosis with aphids producing honeydew, which is one of the main energetic resources for ants, plays an important role in their life. These are the first data on the trophobiotic as- sociations between ants and aphids in South Zauralye. Investigations were carried out in the most typical biotopes for the region (forest, meadow, steppe and antropogenic biotopes) in 2006–2013. Trophobiotic interactions with aphids are revealed for 17 ant species from two subfamilies: Formicinae (Formica – 7 species, Lasius – 3, Camponotus – 3) and Myrmicinae (Myrmica – 4).