XVI International Botanical Congess

The effect ants have on reducing levels of parasitism and predation on reward producing insects has been well documented. However, no published information was found on the affect ants may have on reducing levels of parasitism and predation on other insect not providing a benefit to ants. Leaf-mining insects represent a diverse community of herbivores on Cecropia, which is a well-known ant-plant involved in mutualistic interactions with several ant genera, most notably Azteca, in the Neotropics. Species of Azteca vary in the degree to which they respond to herbivores on plants the ants inhabit, and may thus be grouped into either aggressive or timid categories. In Costa Rica, I have found levels of parasitism and predation to be lower for herbivores on trees occupied by more aggressive Azteca.