Ant-Aphid Mutualism

[Abhishek Jamalabad]

Ghost ants (Tapinoma melanocephalum) and aphids living together on an eggplant in my garden. The cornicles (tail-like structures) of the aphids produce a sweet liquid called 'honeydew'. The ants harvest the honeydew, and in return protect the aphids from predators.

Canon 500D, Canon 100mm Macro USM
Aperture-Priority AE
Tv 1/400
Av 8.0
EC -1/3
ISO 1600
Pano crop.
Couldn't include all the ants at this magnification, so had to cut a few near the edges.


Thanks, C&C awaited.