A live Common Castor Butterfly (Ariadne merione Cramer) caterpillar, known as the Castor Plant (Ricinus communis) pest, is chewing leaves, is attacked and held with bites on every part of its body by a group of Asian Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) in a forest at Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on 17/07/2025. The larva is excreting some black liquid. Weaver ants are highly territorial and actively defend their territories against intruders, including other ant species. They often employ group attacks to capture larger prey.
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