Why are predators less likely to eat ants that live in a acacia tree?

Predators are less likely to eat ants that live in acacia trees because these ants have a mutualistic relationship with the tree, which provides them with shelter and food in the form of nectar and protein-rich Beltian bodies. In return, the ants protect the acacia from herbivores and competing plants. Additionally, the aggressive behavior of these ants, along with their ability to deliver painful stings, deters potential predators from attacking them. This mutualism creates a protective environment for the ants, making them less vulnerable to predation.