Many butterflies in the lycaenid family, including the beautiful green hairstreak, have an extraordinary relationship with ants. Their caterpillars produce sugary secretions that attract ants, which then guard them from predators and parasitic wasps. It is a remarkable example of cooperation in nature.
Some lycaenids go even further, mimicking ant larvae with chemical signals and sounds so convincingly that ants carry them into their nests. These intricate partnerships have evolved over millions of years and show how closely species can become linked.
Protecting lycaenids often means protecting the ants and habitats they depend upon.