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Asian Weaver Ants (Oecophylla smaragdina), or Weaver Ants, are having a mutualistic relationship with aphids. They are farming these insects by protecting them on the plants where they are feeding and consuming the honeydew released from the ends of their digestive systems. The ants are 'milking' the aphids by gently stroking them with their antennae to encourage honeydew production. Interestingly, the presence of ants is affecting the feeding behavior of aphids; those attended by ants are tending to produce honeydew in smaller drops that are more concentrated with amino acids. This rare interaction is being observed in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on March 26, 2025.
Asian Weaver Ants (Oecophylla smaragdina), or Weaver Ants, are having a mutualistic relationship with aphids. They are farming these insects by protecting them on the plants where they are feeding and consuming the honeydew released from the ends of their digestive systems. The ants are 'milking' the aphids by gently stroking them with their antennae to encourage honeydew production. Interestingly, the presence of ants is affecting the feeding behavior of aphids; those attended by ants are tending to produce honeydew in smaller drops that are more concentrated with amino acids. This rare interaction is being observed in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on March 26, 2025.
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