Crematogaster scutellaris is a common tree-nesting ant in Mediterranean olive groves, where it acts as both predator and soft scale insect tender. We aimed to quantify the predatory action of this species and assess whether it influences the distribution of soft scale insects. Predation was investigated through experiments using live prey. The mutualistic relationship between ants and soft scales was assessed by supplementing sugar, amino acids or water to ant colonies, then monitoring for changes in scale tending activity. The probability of soft scale infestation on trees hosting or not hosting ant nests was also estimated. Predation rates on trees hosting a C. scutellaris nest were significantly higher than on trees without nests. Tending activity was affected by carbohydrate and, surprisingly, water availability. While the presence of C. scutellaris was significantly correlated to soft scale infestation, it also favoured predation towards other insects, suggesting a potential role in influencing different insect pests.

中文翻译：

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依赖资源的与汁液喂食者的相互联系以及蚂蚁Crematogaster scutellaris的高捕食率：对控制橄榄害虫有帮助还是有害？

Crematogaster scutellaris是地中海橄榄树林中的一种常见的树状蚂蚁，在这里它既是捕食者又是软鳞昆虫的嫩芽。我们旨在量化该物种的捕食行为，并评估其是否影响软鳞昆虫的分布。通过使用活猎物的实验研究了捕食行为。通过向蚁群补充糖，氨基酸或水来评估蚂蚁与软鳞片之间的相互关系，然后监测鳞片趋化活性的变化。还估计了在寄养或未寄养蚂蚁巢的树上发生软垢侵扰的可能性。承载黄C的树木的捕食率巢明显高于没有巢的树木。趋向活动受到碳水化合物的影响，而且出人意料的是受水的影响。尽管黄cut衣原体的存在与软鳞的侵染显着相关，但它也有利于其他昆虫的捕食，表明其在影响不同害虫方面的潜在作用。