Red ant / black aphid honeydew pics

First time I've got a clear shot of the ant picking up a honeydew droplet off the aphid. Not certain but I've got a feeling the aphids may produce the droplets "on demand" from the ants- ie they stimulate the aphids to produce them as I've not seen an aphid with a large droplet like this just sitting there. Definitely taken with the MPE-65 .
Brian V.

Drop is now between the ants jaws

Wow.

Mmmm...honeydew

Wow!!! Excellent pics! Very educational

Nice captures Brian, it almost looks like in #1 that the Ant was stroking the Aphid to convince it to produce the honeydew. Excellent images!

Dave

Great captures as usaul Brian, I think it looks more like the ant is squeezing the aphid to get the honeydew.

Thanks for the comments all. It's taking shots like these you begin to wonder if you should have a cine-camera
Brian V.

Amazing detail Brian!

No-no - you don't have to go into video

BigAl-SA wrote:
Amazing detail Brian!

No-no - you don't have to go into video

Thanks again Al.
Don't worry I'm not going to start making films- just for behaviour stuff a stills camera does feel a bit limiting
Brian V.