If I had listened during high school science 20 *cough cough* years ago I would already know this. If I hadn't skipped Sir David's Life in the Undergrowth for more mammal related content (or more likely *gasp* for Masterchef) I would already know this.
But today I watched as ants walked over and around aphids, swaying their antennae across them and then picking up what looked like water droplets in their jaws. Clearly being in the dark I had to message an entomologist friend and essentially ask "sooooo.....do ants milk aphids?" - turns out they do! (thanks Rebecca!!!)
This is one of those uber cool everyone wins mutualistic relationships - the ants offer protection from predation to the aphids who in turn secrete honeydew - a sugary substance which the ants totally adore. So I did me some observing, some learning and as you will see, some subpar macro photography today! (Note to self: a bottle of wine the night before, and a cup of coffee the morning of, does not good macro photography make!)
Ant and aphids
