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