Gallery Cecropia and Ants 20 July 2013 Justin Montemarano Leave a comment Part of a Cecropia leaf. Ant colonies live and feed around the hollow stems The ants rush out to protect their host plant The ants pack a nasty sting. Upon disturbing the leaves, Azteca ants rush out to protect their host plant, which provide food and shelter for them. I’ve posted a little about Cecropia before here and here. .