Red imported fire ants have formed a relationship with an invasive mealybug, "Phenacoccus solenopsis". Colony growth is known to increase if ants have access to resources produced by "P. solenopsis", and the population density of these mealybugs is significantly higher in areas where red imported fire ants are present (the spread of "P. solenopsis" in areas it is not native is attributed to the presence of the ants). As well as that, the life expectancy and reproductive rate of "P. solenopsis" both increase. These mealybugs may even be transported by workers back to their nest. Predation of "P. solenopsis" decreases due to tending workers interfering with the predation and parasitism by natural enemies. Mealybugs are preyed on by the lady beetle ("Menochilus sexmaculatus") and are hosts of two parasites ("Aenasius bambawalei" and "Acerophagus coccois") if there are no ants present, but this is different if ants are present. Lady beetles are less frequently seen on plants with red imported fire ants, and the rate of "mummy" nymphs is significantly lower. This is clearly evident as scientists observed that cotton aphid ("Aphis gossypii") populations, and the predation of sentinel bollworm eggs, increased in areas with red imported fire ant presence. Red imported fire ants have developed a mutual relationship with another mealybug ("Dysmicoccus morrisoni"). The ants promote the colony growth of "D. morrisoni" through protection, covering the colonies up with debris and collecting the honeydew they secrete.