Liz Crain of Leafhopper Farm describes how Ants will domesticate and farm Aphids in order to harvest the Honeydew they excrete.
Ants are Farmers
- Some Ants will domesticate and farm Aphids in order to harvest the Honeydew that they excrete. The Ants will corral the Aphids on a plant that they can eat, and protect them from predators. This is a Mutualistic relationship because both species of insect benefits from the relationship.
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I have been reading a bit about Chinese Medicine recently and a particular type of ant is mentioned as a kindof superfood. Never thought I would be into it, but seeing how much attention bug farmers are getting, it occurred to me that Permaculture folk could corner the emerging markets in both bugs and herbs! Not for everyone, but where there's a will..... I also lived in an abORIGINAL community in Oz and they all LOVED honey ants. Would be funny if aphids became a fad further up the food chain with us. Though I doubt it! Nice video @leafhopperfarm !
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We actually raise mealworms (beetle larva) for feeding to the chickens, but we'd also like to produce enough to be able to eat them ourselves. They're very nutritious and can be cooked in so many ways!
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Right on! I heard it was a secret ingredient from the Company that sells McDonal's '100% beef' which is the company name, not the ingredients ;) Do you have Black Soldier Fly also? Or perhaps OR is too cool (temperature, not Portland weird/cool)
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'start to hear the plight of their livestock' I think was the best line. Also, ants farm fungi too!
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Thank you! I just did a post on a aphid attack on my corn, the ants were herding them. Great video, must be aphid season!
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The ants do this on nearly all plants. While in the forests of the Pacific NW and Canada I have taken pictures of MANY plants of various types that have ants farming aphids. Flowers seem to be a favorite, I presume from the sweetness contained. On my farm I have seen it on many of the invasive species of plants, with the highest numbers on the thistles.
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