The #slave #ant #Formica #fusca (#Formicinae) is seen here on common #tansy collecting #honeydew from and guarding the #aphid #Metopeurum #fuscoviride. The #workers of this ant #species, which builds #polygynous subterranean nests, are often exploited by other species for nest building. As C. Carere et al. (2018) found, there is a linear link between #individual and #collective #behavior.

©#StefanFWirth Berlin 2025

Ref
C. Carere et al. (2018)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2018.07.009

#Photos
©S F. Wirth 2025

The pink #tansyaphid #Metopeurum #fuscoviride is native to Europe and prefers forming large #colonies on #tansy #Tanacetum #vulgare.This aphid is very attractive for #ants, as one aphid has a high #honeydew #production with in average 1 milligram of honeydew per hour. Authors M. K. Fischer et al. (2002) found the #aminoacid #concentration in honeydew increasing with #aphid age.

© #StefanFWirth #Berlin 2025

Ref
M. K. Fischer et al. (2002)
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1910(01)00179-2

#Photos
© S F. Wirth 2025