灰蝶与蚂蚁双赢原则
The Special Relationship Between Ants and Lycaenid Butterflies
The Lycaenids are a group of butterflies known commonly as blues, coppers and hairstreaks. Most species of Lycaenid butterflies have evolved close, mutually- beneficial relationships with different species of ants.
A Special Relationship
The caterpillars of these butterflies develop special glands that secrete a nectar-like substance to attract ants. The ants swarm all over the caterpillars, drinking the secretion. The ants “milk” secretions from the caterpillars by tickling special glands on the caterpillars with their antennas.
In some Australian species, the attending ants even build thatched or earthen corrals to contain the caterpillars. By day the caterpillars are protected from predators by the corral and the ants. At night the ants herd the caterpillars up a nearby tree to feed on leaves.
What Do The Caterpillars Get Out Of It?
The ants are like a private army of bodyguards. Colonies of ants are quite fierce — swarming, biting or even consuming potentialpredators.
In fact, the caterpillars’ sweet secretions are not only nutritious, but also contain chemicals that subdue the ants. Otherwise the ants might kill the caterpillars themselves! Some caterpillars also make drumming sounds to keep their attendant ants alert.
Unprotected caterpillars would make a tasty treat for insect-eaters like birds, frogs or larger insects. But ants taste bitter or even toxic when eaten. To most predators, a caterpillar covered in ants is about as appetizing as a candy bar covered in thumbtacks.
So, the ants benefit from the energy-rich secretions produced by the caterpillars, and the caterpillars benefit from the ants’ protection.
译文：
灰蝴蝶是一群被认为有着蓝色，紫铜色，并且翅膀上有细纹的蝴蝶，其大部分品种的进化与许多蚂蚁有着亲密无间并且互惠互利的关系。
特殊关系
蝴蝶幼虫拥有一种特殊的腺体，它能够分泌如花蜜的甘甜物质来吸引蚂蚁。蚂蚁将幼虫包围，吮吸这甜美的“蜜”，同时也用自己的触须挠蝴蝶幼虫的腺体。
澳大利亚有些种类的蚂蚁甚至修建起“茅草屋”或者是“土畜栏”将幼虫圈起来。白天的时候，蚂蚁和畜栏保护幼虫不受食肉动物的侵犯，夜晚时，蚂蚁将幼虫搬离到离树近的地方，幼虫便能用树叶充饥。
蚂蚁就像是私人贴身保镖，并且是十分凶猛的保镖，他们成群结队撕咬甚至是消灭掉潜在的捕食者。
事实上，幼虫的分泌物不仅仅是营养丰富，同时也含有一种能够制服蚂蚁的化学物质，不然的话，蚂蚁也会让幼虫致命。有些幼虫甚至发出鼓声用以警示蚂蚁。
未受保护的蝴蝶幼虫对于如鸟类，蛙或者是大一点的昆虫这些食用昆虫的物种来说是一顿美餐。但如果是吃蚂蚁的话，不仅味道苦涩，甚至还是有毒的。在食肉动物看来，被蚂蚁包裹着的蝴蝶幼虫就像是包满图钉的糖果。
就这样，蚂蚁从幼虫的分泌物中摄取营养，而幼虫也正是有了蚂蚁的保护而健康成长。 |