aphids tended by ants

Class: Hexapoda (animals with six legs - includes all insects)
Order: Homoptera (cicadas, hoppers, psyllids, whiteflies, aphids, and scale insects)
    homo = same and ptera = wings (singular is pteron)
    These insects all feed on plant fluids. Some species are of particular importance in agriculture and landscaping.
Family: Aphididae (aphids or plantlice)
Species: undetermined
Common Name: aphid (not species specific)
Date: 2001 Jun 01 (I didn't encounter aphids often)
Place: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
    Manzanita Springs on Yucca

The small yellowish aphids shown here are being tended by ants who like the sweet honeydew (processed plant juices) excreted by the aphids. Most of the adult aphids (larger insects) lack wings (winged individuals appear near the top right). Aphids form the primary food of a number of species of ladybird beetles (ladybugs). They also are eaten by the young (maggots) of some flies (Family Syrphidae - hover flies).

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