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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> True bugs (Hemiptera) (10 Sub-galleries) >> Aphids (Superfamily: Aphidoidea) > Aphids, hover fly larvae, and ant
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16-JUN-2010 Christine Hanrahan

Aphids, hover fly larvae, and ant

This ant is protecting its "herd" of aphids. However, there are two interlopers. The small green and brown caterpillar-like critters, are the larvae of hover flies (Syrphids)which are eating the aphids. Adults of some hover fly species lay their eggs amongst aphid colonies. When the eggs hatch, the larvae have a ready made supply of food. Hover flies can therefore be good predators of aphids.

The ants protect these colonies for their own purpose: They like the sugary excretions that the aphids exude!

Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
1/80s f/5.6 at 5.0mm iso200 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time16-Jun-2010 11:12:14
MakeCanon
ModelCanon PowerShot SX10 IS
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length5 mm
Exposure Time1/77 sec
Aperturef/5.6
ISO Equivalent200
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Mode
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
Focus Distance0.110 m

other sizes: small medium large original auto
Don09-Sep-2013 22:03
A complex web and fascinating story. I take it that the ants don't recognise the hover fly larvae as a threat.
Graeme09-Sep-2013 10:47
The macro world is an amazing place and I love to read your information about them, Christine. Wonderful close up too.BV
Karen Stuebing08-Sep-2013 20:57
What an amazing symbiotic crowd of insects, each with their own purpose. It is a little world of its own. V.
Carol Rollins08-Sep-2013 17:50
Super find, capture and presentation, Christine. Nature is complex and wonderful. ~
Guest 08-Sep-2013 03:11
wow its a whole new world... fascinating and a great shot..v
Hank Vander Velde08-Sep-2013 02:54
Fantastic image and most informative text Christine. Sure depicts complex interactions of and wonders of nature.
Carl Carbone08-Sep-2013 02:26
Stunning capture. This is just excellent.
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