I started a lovely herb garden this year. I am quite proud of my little bed of goodies. I planted basil, catnip, mint, hyssop, motherwort, yarrow, sage, mallow, oregano, and a random melon/ cucumber plant that managed to fall into the mix. Nothing huge, just a little garden that brings a lot of joy.
Last weekend I was tidying up around the plants and found myself being attacked by ants. I flicked and swiped them off then watched for a moment. My catnip plant was being swarmed by ants, clearly irritated by my tidying up. But why? Why only that paticular plant? Why not the basil or the other catnip plant? The plant appeared to be healthy and unbothered by the number of residents now calling its leave and stems home.
My toddler soon captured my attention and I was needed elsewhere. But the questions still ran through my brain from time to time. There had to be an explanation and my curious mind was determined to find out.
This morning I approached the plant again and disturbed some leaves. As expected the ants were thrown into a frenzy once again. After confirming they were not eating the plant, I started researching.
Did you know ants work together with aphids to form a symbiotic relationship? Aphids pierce plant stems to drink the sugary sap. Because they consume more sugar than they can digest, they excrete a sweet, sticky liquid called honeydew. Ants love to eat this liquid. To get it, ants gently stroke the aphids with their antennae, which stimulates the aphids to release drops of honeydew directly to the ants.
In return ants aggressively attack aphid predators like ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic wasps, and pesky humans that try to disturb them. Ants have been recorded carrying aphids to safer parts of the plant and bringing them into their own nests during bad weather. If a plant dies or becomes overcrowded, ants physically carry the aphids to a fresh, healthy plant to start new colony.
How fascinating! Of corse I had to snap a couple pictures of my little discovery to see what I could see. Check it out! The ants tower over the aphids. How incredible!
Heather Congrove 