Interaction between Mutualisms: Ant‐Tended Butterflies Exploit Enemy‐Free Space Provided by Ant‐Treehopper Associations

Although mutualisms have been intensively investigated, demonstration of indirect effects between co‐occurring mutualistic systems is rare. For instance, the ecological consequences of co‐occurrence of ant‐tended insects on a plant have never been examined for survival effects on either trophobiont species. Here, we assess the selective pressures mediating co‐occurrence of a facultative ant‐tended butterfly (Parrhasius polibetes) with ant‐tended treehoppers (Guayaquila xiphias) onSchefflera vinosashrubs. We evaluated host plant selection and caterpillar survival inP. polibetesin the presence and absence of ant‐treehopper associations. Paired trials revealed that butterflies preferably oviposit on branches hosting ant‐tended treehoppers when they had a choice between those and branches without this interaction. Presence of ant‐tended treehoppers on a branch reduced the abundance ofP. polibetes’ natural enemies and improved caterpillar survival in both premyrmecophylic and ant‐tended phases. Thus ant‐tended treehoppers create an enemy‐free space on foliage that butterflies exploit to protect larval offspring. These findings connect two widely documented ant‐trophobiont mutualisms and highlight the importance of considering multiple interactions for a proper understanding of ant‐plant‐herbivore systems. Detection of other ant‐based mutualisms on oviposition to improve offspring survival may have represented an important evolutionary step in the process of host plant selection in facultative myrmecophilous butterflies.