Caterpillars of the imperial blue butterflies are truly imperial!

The reason…..?

They have their own special team of escorts and bodyguards – a band of terrible black ants!

Each morning when the caterpillars leave their nests to feed on the leaves of black wattle trees, the

ants climb up the tree to join them.

The ants use their large strong jaws to drive away any predators, while the caterpillars feed.

The payment for this special duty is the permission to suck the sugary secretion from the back of the

caterpillar.

The ants nest underground. They climb the tree every morning to do their guarding duty.

They even watch over the insects in their pupa stage – for free!

More caterpillars means more honey!

So “Why not?”