Ant farm

[Trent Watts]

While looking for some insects to photograph yesterday I noticed a misshapen tip on a Maple tree. On closer evaluation I could see tiny aphids on the stems with ants coming and going. As near as I can tell this is an example of symbiosis whereby the ants get honeydew drops from the aphids and the aphids get guard duty from the ants. Nature is really complicated so we simplify it and call it an 'ant farm'.

I highlighted the drop of 'honeydew' from the nymph (at least I think it a nymph stage)

 

[AlanLichty]

Very cool sequence - especially the last one with the honeydew droplet.

 

[Trent Watts]

Thanks so much Alan.

 

[JimFox]

Very cool series Trent. I never knew ants could be so interesting. That's a cool relationship they have going on.

My favorite is #2.

What are you using to capture these?

 

[Trent Watts]

Hi Jim. I use the Olympus OMD EM1 Mk111 with the 60mm macro lens. One huge leap for me was fashioning a flash diffuser to get the light in the correct spot. I saw a post by an Olympus visionary (Chris MacGinnis) and followed his advise. Each area of photography is so fascinating with all there is to learn. I am enjoying this venue to see so many incredible images from this talented group. Thanks again for inviting me.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

While looking for some insects to photograph yesterday I noticed a misshapen tip on a Maple tree. On closer evaluation I could see tiny aphids on the stems with ants coming and going. As near as I can tell this is an example of symbiosis whereby the ants get honeydew drops from the aphids and the aphids get guard duty from the ants. Nature is really complicated so we simplify it and call it an 'ant farm'.


View attachment 40084

View attachment 40085


I highlighted the drop of 'honeydew' from the nymph (at least I think it a nymph stage)
View attachment 40086

Excellent series, Trent.