Ant gland which secretes honeydew when the ants massage them. Some caterpillars produce vibrations and sounds that are perceived by the ants. A similar adaptation can be seen in Grizzled skipper butterflies that emit vibrations by expanding their wings in order to communicate with ants, which are natural predators of these butterflies. Other caterpillars have evolved from ant-loving to ant-eating: these myrmecophagous caterpillars secrete a pheromone that makes the ants act as if the caterpillar is one of their own larvae. The caterpillar is then taken into the ant nest where it feeds on the ant larvae. A number of specialized
Erratic ant nest structure to concentrate solar heat onto the ants' brood. Nuptial flights take place in June, although they may be postponed during colder years to July. Erratic ant The erratic ant ("Tapinoma erraticum") is a species of dolichoderine ant first described in 1789 by Latreille. This species ranges throughout Central Europe from the mountains of south Italy to north Germany. It is present in coastal areas of Southern England and on the islands of Gotland and Öland in Sweden. A thermophilic species, "T. erraticum" is found principally on dry heathland, exposed to the sun. The workers are very agile, and