This is one of my first macro shots that I took back in April 2004 with my Fuji 6900z. The young stinging nettle had taken root in an old brick wall at about head height. The plant was absolutely covered in aphids, all busily feeding on its sap. There were quite a number of ants in attendance (as is usually the case, mostly on the inaccessible side of the plant). Anyway by "carefully" rearranging the stems a bit I managed to get a few close-up shots of the action.
The ants are "milking" the aphids by stroking them with their front legs and antennae. In response the aphids excrete a clear, nutrient rich substance calle honeydew -you can just make out a drop of honeydew in the ant's mandibles. It's a mutually advantageous arrangement as the ants help protect the aphids from other insect predators.
Anyone know why some of the aphids are light green and fat?
Bruce
