The Host Genera of Ant-Parasitic Lycaenidae Butterflies: A Review

Figure 1

Rank-frequency plot of ant genera of the world involved in myrmecophilous associations of Lycaenidae butterflies, based on 927 record pairs of 497 butterfly species with 54 ant genera. Rank 1: ant genus with largest number of associated lycaenid species reported. Ranks 47 to 54: ant genera with only one associated lycaenid species known thus far. Filled diamonds: ant genera only known to be involved in mutualistic interactions with butterflies; open squares: ant genera that also serve as hosts for ant-parasitic Lycaenidae larvae (with genus name included; figure in parentheses: number of confirmed ant-parasitic lycaenid species). Note log-scale of y-axis.