Newt Tech

Ant Herding a lone Aphid

July 3rd, 2006

I used to think that aphids gathered together and the ants came along, protected the aphids from predation, then helped themselves to the convenient on-tap aphid-juice.

After watching them for a bit, it looks as though the ants actively herd the loose aphids into groups.

Picture this.. a lone aphid, on the journey of its life:

Then along comes the ever efficious ant farmer..

And then it’s the end of the road. No more adventure, only a life of sucking plant sap and being milked by a herd of wild ants. (not those tame ants, but the wild ones!)

Entry Filed under: Nature and Science