Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 340

The first article focuses on the longevity of queen ants, stating that they can live up to 29 years, which is the longest lifespan among eusocial insects. The study found that queen ants have a higher expression of genes involved in repairing damaged macromolecules, such as DNA. Understanding the reasons behind the longer lifespan of queens is important for understanding the causes of aging in biology. The second article discusses mutualistic relationships involving Lasius niger ants. The ants protect black bean aphids from predators, resulting in higher seed yields for plants with both ants and aphids compared to those without. The Plebejus argus butterfly forms a mutualistic relationship with Lasius niger, with the ants protecting the butterfly eggs and larvae from predators, while the butterfly provides the ants with a saccharine secretion. The butterfly eventually leaves the nest when it emerges as an adult in June.