Fun with Science Club®


			Ants and butterflies have been friends for 20 million years. Beth Tyler 06.01.01 Caterpillars are immature butterflies. Before they turn into butterflies, some caterpillars form a relationship with ants. The caterpillar produces nectar (a sweet food) for the ant from a special nectar-producing organ. In return, the ant protects the caterpillar from other insects. The type of relationship where both organisms benefit from being together is called a symbiotic relationship. Scientists did not know how long ants and caterpillars had been in this symbiotic relationship. How could they? Well, some scientists in Central America found a 20 million year old caterpillar preserved in amber. Because amber preserves organisms almost perfectly, the scientists could cut the caterpillar open and look at its organs. They found a nectar-producing organ. They also found two other organs that are only present today in caterpillars that live with ants. This means that caterpillars and ants have been helping each other survive for 20 million years!


			DeVries, P. J., and G. O. Poinar. 1997. Ancient butterfly-ant symbiosis: direct evidence from Dominican amber. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B 264:1137- 1140.