What are these little bugs that the ants seems to like ? [Archive]

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yb98

28th of July 2006 (Fri), 10:59

http://bellik.free.fr/gallery/galleries/Insects/Ants/2006.07.27_19.26.01.jpg

http://bellik.free.fr/gallery/galleries/Insects/Ants/2006.07.27_19.28.08.jpg

LordV

28th of July 2006 (Fri), 12:32

Good shots Yacine- they are aphids that suck plant sap and excrete excess sugar- the ants pick up the "honey dew" droplets, and sort of farm the aphids. They protect them, move them to new pastures and some ants even overwinter aphid babies in their nests and put them out to pasture in the Spring :)
Brian V.

yb98

28th of July 2006 (Fri), 12:36

Wow ! I'm impressed not only by your pics but also by you knowledge ! Thanks.