Aphids on stem being farmed by ants. This is a mutualistic relationship with ants collecting honeydew from aphids and protecting them from predators.

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Some species of ants farm aphids, protecting them on the plants where they are feeding on sap from predators such as ladybirds, and consuming the honeydew the aphids release from the terminations of their alimentary canals. This is a mutualistic relationship, with these dairying ants milking the aphids by stroking them with their antennae.

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Size: 3101px × 4651px
Location: Dry Sandford Pit, Cothill Road, Dry Sandford, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK
Photo credit: © Gillian Pullinger / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: ant, ants, aphid, aphids, behavior, behaviour, britain, buglife, bugs, close-, collecting, england, farming, fauna, flower, honeydew, insect, insects, invertebrate, invertebrates, kingdom, macro, mutualistic, nature, plant, protecting, protection, relationship, sap-sucking, stalk, stem, uk, united, wildlife