Ants and aphids (IMAGE)
Caption
Ants and aphids on a poplar leaf: When aphids infest plants, ants are often also present. The ants do not prey on the small insects, but are interested in their honeydew. In return, they even protect the aphids from predators. Observations showed that fewer ants colonized the poplars when endophytic Cladosporium fungi could be detected inside the leaves. This may be due to the defense substance stachydrine, which the fungi produce and which the aphids excrete with their honeydew.
Credit
Christin Walther, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany
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Credit must be given to the creator. Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.
License
CC BY-SA