Argentine ants: Effects on the restoration of plant-insect interactions in the temperate zone

Lyceanid butterfiles are often targeted for temperate-zone habitat conservation because of their vulnerability to endangerment and their charismatic colors.  Many conservation efforts attempt to restore the relationships between the butterflies and their nectar and foodplants by planting new vegetation at habitat-restoration sites.  However, invasive ants may be transferred in nursery-grown native plants from areas where invasive ants are common. This can have long-term effects on butterfly survival.  Invasive Argentine ants can affect the survival and palatability of lycaenid foodplants by encouraging aphids, and they can affect butterfly survival differentially throughout the butterfly life cycle through predation and tending-like behavior.  We studied three lycaenid species to investigate effects of Argentine ants on lycaenid foodplants, eggs, larvae and adults.  We will discuss the results and implications for future restoration efforts.