Title:	First report of Crematogaster acuta (Fabricius, 1804) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in association with palm-aphid on solitary açaí palm seedlings (Euterpe precatoria Martius) in Acre, Brazil.
Authors:	BONA, K. SANTOS, R. S. FONTENELE, L. K. SOUZA, K. M. de FEITOSA, R. M.
Affiliation:	KETLEN BONA BEZERRA DA COSTA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO ACRE; RODRIGO SOUZA SANTOS, CPAF-AC; LUANE KAROLINE FONTENELE ROCHA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO ACRE; KAUA MAGALHAES DE SOUZA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO ACRE; RODRIGO DOS SANTOS MACHADO FEITOSA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO PARANÁ.
Date Issued:	2026
Citation:	Entomological Communications, v. 8, ec08003, 2026.
Description:	Ant-hemipteran mutualisms are widespread in tropical ecosystems yet remain undocumented in many Amazonian plant species. Here, we report the first record of a trophobiotic association between the acrobat ant Crematogaster acuta (Fabricius, 1804) and the palmaphid Cerataphis brasiliensis (Hempel, 1901) on seedlings of Euterpe precatoria Martius, 1842 (Arecaceae) in the state of Acre, Brazil. Ants were observed tending aphid colonies, collecting honeydew, and exhibiting protective behaviors against potential predators. This novel record adds to the growing knowledge of ant-aphid interactions in Amazonian palms and suggests potential ecological implications for aphid persistence and solitary açaí palm seedling health.
NAL Thesaurus:	Euterpe precatoria Mutualism Cerataphis brasiliensis
Keywords:	Açaí solteiro Mutualismo Formiga acrobata Crematogaster acuta Pulgão das palmeiras Palm-aphid Primeiro registro First record Primer registro Acre Amazônia Ocidental Western Amazon Amazonia Occidental
ISSN:	2675-1305 (online)
Type of Material:	Artigo de periódico
Access:	openAccess
Appears in Collections:	Nota Técnica/Nota científica (CPAF-AC)