Ancient Ant-Plant Alliance Collapses As Predatory Wasps Move In

Predatory wasps are increasingly using Macaranga pearsonii stem cavities that normally house Crematogaster ants in Malaysian Borneo.

The invasion is more common in logged forests and oil palm plantations than in intact forest.

Plants affected by wasps tend to support smaller ant colonies, which may weaken their natural defenses.

Researchers warn this could disrupt a long-evolved ant-plant mutualism and hinder forest regeneration in disturbed habitats.