Aphid Bums
It had to be done..
Add comment June 30th, 2006
Archive for June, 2006
Aphids - providing a high velocity ant beverage
Yes, posting about Ants and Aphids again.
I was sitting on my front step yesterday looking at the plant that is infested with aphids. The ants have moved the aphids, and more aphids are present. It looks like the ants have two ‘farms’ of aphids.
A very interesting thing I noticed was what looked like spitting from where the aphids were. It was so small and happened so fast it took a while before I could see what was happening. As it turns out, it appears that the aphid ‘waste’ that the ants drink is literally ejected from the aphid at high speed. It was quite a distance away from where the aphids were, so it must get ejected to quite a distance.
I don’t know why the ants weren’t collecting it before it shot out, but it was interesting to see.I looked down at the leaves below noticed that they were covered in a clear sticky goo (yes, that’s a technical term!). Ah, the wonders of nature. 
There must be so many more living things participating in symbiotic relationships, as ants and aphids do.
UPDATE:
Apparently what happens is when the ants don’t collect the ‘honeydew’ from the aphids, the aphids flick the fluid away with their hind legs. How cool is that? It’s along the lines of monkeys throwing feces. Although I must admit, I’d take the aphids over the monkeys.
Add comment June 28th, 2006
Ants and Aphids
Yes, posting about Ants and Aphids again. I was sitting on my front step yesterday looking at the plant that is infested with aphids. The ants have moved the aphids, and more aphids are present. It looks like the ants have two ‘farms’ of aphids.
A very interesting thing I noticed was what looked like spitting from where the aphids were. It was so small and happened so fast it took a while before I could see what was happening.
As it turns out, it appears that the aphid ‘waste’ that the ants drink is literally ejected from the aphid at high speed. I don’t know why the ants weren’t collecting it before it shot out, but it was interesting to see.
I looked down at the leaves below noticed that they were covered in a clear sticky goo (yes, that’s a technical term!). And it was quite a ways away from where the aphids were, so it must get ejected to quite a distance.
Ah, the wonders of nature.
I would have taken photos, but I couldn’t find the camera. I’ll try to dig it up and post a couple photos. If I can capture the event where it’s being ejected.
There must be so many more living things participating in symbiotic relationships, as ants and aphids do.
Add comment June 23rd, 2006
Ants and Aphids
Yes, posting about Ants and Aphids again. I was sitting on my front step yesterday looking at the plant that is infested with aphids. The ants have moved the aphids, and more aphids are present. It looks like the ants have two ‘farms’ of aphids.
A very interesting thing I noticed was what looked like spitting from where the aphids were. It was so small and happened so fast it took a while before I could see what was happening.
As it turns out, it appears that the aphid ‘waste’ that the ants drink is litterally ejected from the aphid at high speed. I don’t know why the ants weren’t collecting it before it shot out, but it was interesting to see.
I looked down at the leaves below noticed that they were covered in a clear sticky goo (yes, that’s a technical term!). And it was quite a ways away from where the aphids were, so it must get ejected to quite a distance.
Ah, the wonders of nature.
I would have taken photos, but I couldn’t find the camera. I’ll try to dig it up and post a couple photos. If I can capture the event where it’s being ejected.
There must be so many more living things participating in symbiotic relationships, as ants and aphids do.
Add comment June 23rd, 2006
Ordered my Mirror TV Kit
I saw this Mirror TV kit on Redferret.net, it’s obviously gone on sale since Red blogged about it.
Looks good, deep frame so I don’t have this framed mirror floating a few inches out from the wall. And under a hundred bucks.. so I ordered one (32″ x 20″ - Natural wood finish). Shipping was more than I thought, but I’ve never had anything that large shipped to me.
Some fellow bought one of the mirror TV kits (link) and then tossed out the frame! Oh well, people do strange things sometimes. I’ve heard they are good for hiding a plasma TV over a fireplace. What I wonder is if someone will buy one of these just for less-than-scrupulous purposes. With the two-way mirror and deep frame you could hide more than just a camera or two back there. Could be for store surveillance though, I suppose.
One innovative idea might be to put an LCD monitor behind the mirror with a small, slimline PC. I’m thinking MacMini.. but there are slim line PCs like that. Then you could have a bluetooth keyboard and mouse when you wanted to use it. Who needs to access the CD drive anyhow?
When I get it and have tried it out, I’ll post my review.
3 comments June 22nd, 2006
Playhouse Next Steps..
Ok, now that I’ve waited almost a year to finish the inside of the playhouse, I’m going to have to do it in style.
I’m thinking something special.. how about a powered door that you can operate with a remote control? That has to be cool enough to make up for letting it sit unfinished so long.
On top of that I’ll have to build a little bench seat with storage, I’m thinking chaulkboard paint for one wall.. built in shelves, and some flush mounted low voltage lights.
Back to the coolest feature. I’ve got a left over linear actuator kicking around from a previous project as well as a remote control unit. I’ve got to figure out exactly how I’m going to install it, but I’ll post pictures as I go.
Add comment June 16th, 2006
Aphids and Ants - Symbiotic Relationship
I knew about the symbiotic relationship between ants and aphids before. I had seen it on a few nature shows.
I knew about the symbiotic relationship between ants and aphids before. I had seen it on a few nature shows.I was surprised that I could actually witness this myself outside my front door.
I noticed we had some infestation on a plant near our front door, so I had a closer look. I then grabbed my digital camera and took a few photos. They turned out much better than I anticipated!
I may go to the nursery to buy some lady bugs. Apparently you can buy them to get rid of aphids in an environmentally friendy way. I like lady bugs, so this is perfect.
Here are my Photos:
3 comments June 5th, 2006