Ant overseeing aphids

IPClark

Spotted these aphids on the underside of a leaf and noticed a few ants about. The ants weren't feeding but seemed to be more patrolling them or farming them. Whatever it was they were doing, they were marching backwards and forwards, occasionally running their front legs and antenae over them.

basflt

very good IMO

ants are difficult subjects as they are very reflective and never sit still

IPClark

Thank you Bas. It wasn't easy for sure however they weren't as quick as usual as they were often stopping to do something with the aphids. Not sure what it was they were doing really but it helped

basflt

its for food
these pipes on the the back is their exhaust system
these exhausts contain traces of food
by disturbing them , the ants hope they will "produce"
sort of like milking them

Lord Vetinari

Lovely captures. The ants were trying to get them to produce honeydew by tickling them with their antennae. It's not produced from the twin exhaust pipes but just the normal single end of the digestive tract.
Brian v.

IPClark

Ahhh cheers Brian and Bas. Makes sense now