Leaves & Tips: ANTS

Many species of ants are found on passionfruit vines, where they search for honeydew produced by scale and mealybug insects.

Most ants, such as the common coastal brown ant, do not directly damage passionfruit, but their presence encourages the establishment of pests such as scales and mealybug which they protect from parasites and predators. Other ant species may prey on pests and can be beneficial.

Some species such as green ants and weaver ants (Oecophylla spp.) are quite aggressive. This causes management problems because the ants nest in leaves, their bites are painful and they are annoying to workers.

Meat ants (Iridomyrmex spp.) chew the edges of leaves giving them a serrated appearance.