Hi Lion King ,
Hope I can answer your queries from my limited understanding::embrass:
The most common caterpillar association with ants are from the
Lycaenidae family( approx 30%), but not all the Lycaenidae butterflies need ants, however , a numbers of this family of butterfly can only complete their life cycle in association with particular ant species. , each butterfly species usually associated with a single ant species.
The ants normally take charge of the larva when it hatches from the eggs. The extent of the association varies. In some cases the ant cares for the butterfly larva by guiding it up to its host plant to feed during the day and then back to the nest for protection at night...yes, much like we farm cows. In some species they rely on the ants feeding them with regurgitated plants, much like we keep chicken!
The benefit for the ant is that the caterpillar has a special honey gland that secretes a sweet substance high in amino acids and carbohydrates that the ants enjoy. However, in some predaceous butterfly caterpillars, they secret a pheromones to fool the ant into believing that the caterpillar is part of the ant brood, allowing the caterpillar to feed on them.
These associations between lycaenids and ants usually benefit both partners (known as mutualism). However, even though the ants may benefit from harvesting food rewards offered to them by lycaenid larvae, they do not depend on lycaenids for survival and reproduction. Similarly, most lycaenid larvae feed on the young leaves, flowers and seeds of plants, and are not completely dependant upon the ants they may be associated with.
:cheers:
