The Ants & the Aphids

Symbiosis

Aphids exude liquid which is a good food source for the ants, who look after the aphids and 'milk' them with their antennae to get the honeydew.

The ants protect the aphids from other predators, and will even herd them around, moving them from one colony to another.

[Karen H]

Those are some very fat aphids. Your poor plants.

[Sophia Ziburtovicz]

Very interesting. I thought aphids were larger than ants, but I guess not. That's a great find. Nice shot.

[Kerri]

So cool!!

[Roberta Clark Chalmers]

Wow - I've never seen orange aphids. What a great macro.

[J. Voorberg]

@tigerdreamer
@sophiaz
@kerristephens
@beba8162
thanks..I am glad you liked the aphids...these are oleander or milkweed aphids because they really like milkweed plants. thanks

[katy]

Incredible capture! Beautiful detail! thanks for the science lesson! ;~}

[J. Voorberg]

@grammyn wow..it's good to hear from you...great to log on and see some of your wonderful comments ..you have been missed...thanks so much for dropping in....you made my day better..tks

[katy]

@jayberg That is really nice to hear Jay! I couldn't give up completely on my peeps! ;~}

[Matthew Ballew]

wow, intense war. and they both just kind of gross me out :)