Ants with aphids on a stem of a cup-and-saucer vine (Cobaea scandens). Ants (family Formicidae) and aphids (superfamily Aphidoidea) have a symbiotic r

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Ants with aphids on a stem of a cup-and-saucer vine (Cobaea scandens). Ants (family Formicidae) and aphids (superfamily Aphidoidea) have a symbiotic relationship. The ants feed on honeydew from the aphids and in return the ants protect the aphids and their eggs. Honeydew is a sugary substance excreted by the aphids as they feed on the sap from a plant's stem.

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Size: 5143px × 3477px
Photo credit: © VAUGHAN FLEMING/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, ant, ants, aphid, aphids, arthropod, biological, biology, cobaea, cup--saucer, entomology, excreta, fauna, food, honeydew, insect, invertebrate, invertebrates, nature, plant, relationship, scandens, stem, symbiont, symbionts, symbiosis, symbiote, symbiotes, symbiotic, vine, wildlife, zoological, zoology