Exhibition “ANTS”
Aphids – cows of the ants
Ants and aphids form a mutually beneficial partnership. The aphids secrete a sweet liquid called honeydew, which is then licked up by the ants.
Honeydew is an important food source for ants, and the ants monitor and protect the aphids to ensure that it is always available.
Some ant species bring aphid eggs or aphids in other stages of development to their nests in autumn to overwinter.