Liometopum
Encyclopedia
Liometopum is a genus
of ant
s that belongs to the subfamily Dolichoderinae
. Caterpillar
s of certain butterfly species have a symbiotic
relationship with Liometopum ants. They produce secretions that the ants will feed on, similar to the Iridomyrmex
genus of ants.
Escamoles
is a Mexican delicacy that is made from the larvae of these ants.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of ant
Ant
Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from wasp-like ancestors in the mid-Cretaceous period between 110 and 130 million years ago and diversified after the rise of flowering plants. More than...
s that belongs to the subfamily Dolichoderinae
Dolichoderinae
Dolichoderinae is a subfamily of ants, which includes species such as the Argentine ant , the erratic ant, the odorous house ant, and the cone ant. This subfamily is distinguished by having a single petiole and a slit-like orifice, rather than the round acidopore encircled by hairs that typifies...
. Caterpillar
Caterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
s of certain butterfly species have a symbiotic
Symbiosis
Symbiosis is close and often long-term interaction between different biological species. In 1877 Bennett used the word symbiosis to describe the mutualistic relationship in lichens...
relationship with Liometopum ants. They produce secretions that the ants will feed on, similar to the Iridomyrmex
Iridomyrmex
Iridomyrmex is a genus of ants that belongs to the subfamily Dolichoderinae. There are 79 species and subspecies that belong to this genus and they range from India to China to Australia and New Caledonia.-Description:...
genus of ants.
Escamoles
Escamoles
Escamoles are the larvae of ants of the genus Liometopum, harvested from the roots of the agave or maguey plant in Mexico. In some forms of Mexican cuisine, escamoles are considered a delicacy and are sometimes referred to as "insect caviar"...
is a Mexican delicacy that is made from the larvae of these ants.
Species
Three North American species:- Liometopum apiculatum
- L. luctuosum - "the pine tree ant"
- L. occidentale - "the velvety tree ant"