Insect-Aside Volume 4

Aphid ranching, predation, and SPIDERS.

Above and two below, ants herding aphids.  Ants feed and protect the aphids and the aphids in turn provide a sweet, nutritious secretion for the ants.  Everyone is happy. 

American Hover Fly getting a taste. 

SURPRISE!!!

The shot above shows a spider which lay in wait for the hapless honey bee on a thistle..

Insect-Aside Volume 2

More from the tiny life of bugs.  All shots either Kodachrome 64 or 25, Nikon F4, Nikon 105mm macro lens.  Some available light, some flash.

Below, ants as herders.  Ants have a symbiotic relationship with some aphids...protecting them from parasites and predators as the aphids produce a sugary substance the ants crave...it's fascinating behavior. I'll have more images of this behavior in a future post.