Evolution: Ant trail pheromones promote ant-aphid mutualisms

Anouk van 't Padje*, Lennart J.J. van de Peppel, Duur K. Aanen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

A new study shows that trail pheromones produced by an invasive ant species suppress the dispersal and stimulate the reproduction of cotton aphids that the ants can 'milk' for honeydew. Aphids use these pheromones as a signal of ant presence and respond adaptively, analogous to early stages of animal husbandry where animals were attracted to human settlements.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)R1437-R1439
JournalCurrent biology : CB
Volume31
Issue number21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Nov 2021

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Evolution: Ant trail pheromones promote ant-aphid mutualisms'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this