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University of California Cooperative Extension Ants and Mealybugs Site developed
and maintained by the Kearney Agricultural Center, |
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| There is a clear
association between ants and mealybugs. Several species of ants
are associated with vine mealybugs in particular. The most common
is Formica perpilosa, which nests on the roots on many vines and
tends the mealybugs in all sections of the vine, attacking any intruder
and defending the mealybugs. Other ant species are Solenopsis
sp. and Crematogaster sp.
Data suggests that that the vine mealybug may have been seeking protection underground, from heat or natural enemies, or that the proportion of mealybugs dying was higher on the upper sections of the vine. It is possible that the underground habitat would not be nearly as suitable if not for ants tending the mealybugs. Very few of the mealybugs were ever in truly exposed locations (leaves and fruit) for very long periods. The greatest period of exposure was from May to June, when vine mealybug began feeding on leaves and grape bunches. The importance of the vine mealybug exposure period is related to the ability of parasitoids to better attack vine mealybug in exposed as compared with protected locations. |
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