Singing caterpillars

Singing caterpillars is a term coined by Philip James DeVries, referring to the fact that the larvae of ant-associated butterfly species of the families Riodinidae and Lycaenidae produce substrate borne sounds that attract ants.

Several species of such ants tend riodinid and lycaenid caterpillars, and also homopterans (aphids, plant hoppers and relatives).

Although both riodinid and lycaenid caterpillars attract ants and produce nutritious secretions to reward them, members of the two butterfly families have different structures to perform the same functions.

[2] Ant-associated riodinids have a pair of tentacle nectary organs located dorsally on the eight abdominal segment that produce a secretion rich in sugars and amino acids.

[1] Some species also have balloon setae, inflated structures located on the first segment of the thorax (and projected over the head) that also seem to perform a function in chemical communication.