Formica integroides workers tending pine aphids.  The ants obtain a large portion of their energy from symbiotic relationships with hemipterans such as these aphids.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
Aphaenogaster treatae transporting an aphid.

Lake Glendale, Illinois, USA
Aphidius ervi - biocontrol wasp attacking Acyrthosiphon pisum pea aphids.  

Laboratory colony at the University of Arizona
Ants (Pheidole megacephala) tending aphids for honeydew.  The tight association of ants and aphids give the ants a significant carbohydrate boost and the aphids protection from predators.

St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa
Ants (Pheidole megacephala) tending aphids for honeydew.  The tight association of ants and aphids give the ants a significant carbohydrate boost and the aphids protection from predators.

St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa
Formica integroides worker tending pine aphids.  The ants obtain a large portion of their energy from symbiotic relationships with hemipterans such as these aphids.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
Formica integroides worker tending pine aphids.  The ants obtain a large portion of their energy from symbiotic relationships with hemipterans such as these aphids.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
Ants (Pheidole megacephala) tending aphids for honeydew.  The tight association of ants and aphids give the ants a significant carbohydrate boost and the aphids protection from predators.

St. Lucia, KZN, South Africa
A predatory syrphid fly larva sneaks up behind an oleander aphid (Aphis nerii) for a quick snack.  Syrphids are excellent control agents for pest aphids.  Arizona.

filename: syrphidlarva1
Formica integroides workers tending pine aphids. The ants obtain a large portion of their energy from symbiotic relationships with hemipterans such as these aphids.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
Formica integroides workers tending pine aphids.  The ants obtain a large portion of their energy from symbiotic relationships with hemipterans such as these aphids.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
Formica integroides workers tending pine aphids. The ants obtain a large portion of their energy from symbiotic relationships with hemipterans such as these aphids.

Sagehen Creek, California, USA
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013