Matt Cole1
Ant and Aphid
This image is from a recent attempt to capture Black Ants (4-5mm in length) feeding on the sugary honeydew which aphids release (in return, the ants protect the aphids from predators). The ants stroke the rear of the aphids to encourage them to release the honeydew and this image shows an increasingly frustrated ant resorting to partially climbing on the aphid as it continues to stroke it. The ant eventually gave up and moved on to another aphid.
More images and an article on my Blog
Ant and Aphid
This image is from a recent attempt to capture Black Ants (4-5mm in length) feeding on the sugary honeydew which aphids release (in return, the ants protect the aphids from predators). The ants stroke the rear of the aphids to encourage them to release the honeydew and this image shows an increasingly frustrated ant resorting to partially climbing on the aphid as it continues to stroke it. The ant eventually gave up and moved on to another aphid.
More images and an article on my Blog