Milking of aphids

Images of undisturbed subjects in their natural environment. All subject types.

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carlos
Posts: 226
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:49 am

Milking of aphids

Post by carlos »

hello everyone
some images of Milking of aphids made ​​by ants



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Pau
Site Admin
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Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:57 am
Location: Valencia, Spain

Post by Pau »

Excellent series to illustrate this important mutualistic relationship.
Pau

Olympusman
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Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:31 pm

Aphids

Post by Olympusman »

When I moved into my house in Phoenix, Arizona I had two huge fig trees in my back yard. If you stood under them you feel a mist of this falling aphid nectar on your skin.
Some of our friends offered to take the figs off our hands, not being aware of fig wasps laying their eggs in the figs.
Eventually I took out the fig trees because the fallen fruit fed a huge swarm of Drosophila.
Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

marceppy
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Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:05 pm

Post by marceppy »

Very nice captures. You even have reflections in the dew drops. Are these single shots or stacks?

carlos
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Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:49 am

Post by carlos »

thanks everyone for comments
single shot and those drops are not dew but what expel the aphids and the ants eat. It 'a saccharine substance

brentbristol
Posts: 181
Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 4:59 pm
Location: New Berlin WI

Post by brentbristol »

Very nice work documenting this interesting behavior. Beautifully composed.
The trouble with quick and dirty is that the dirty remains after the quick is gone.

Jbailey
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Location: Wisconsin, USA

Post by Jbailey »

Carlos:

Fine series! Such shots take a steady hand and no wind.

Jim

carlos
Posts: 226
Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:49 am

Post by carlos »

Thank you very much

pbertner
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Location: Canada
Contact:

Post by pbertner »

Remarkable shots Carlos with wonderful clarity and detail! I know how much patience is necessary to get shots like this so hats off.

rjlittlefield
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Post by rjlittlefield »

Excellent images!
carlos wrote:...those drops are not dew but what expel the aphids and the ants eat. It 'a saccharine substance
In English the drops are called "honeydew". The aphids eat plant sap, extract what they need, and exude the rest -- mostly sugars -- in these little drops. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeydew_(secretion) for extended discussion.

--Rik

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