Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Ants and Aphids

There is a symbiotic relationship between ants and aphids. Ants act as protectors and ranchers against their natural enemies. Ants protect aphid eggs and move newly host babies to new host plants, where the aphids feed on the leaves. Aphids also have something that ants want, It is a sugar rich sticky liquid called honeydew which secreted by aphids through their anus. Used Sony A6500, Sony 90mm f2.8 G, Raynox DCR250 1/125 sec, f10, ISO-100

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Katuwawala, Sri Lanka
Camera: ILCE-6500
Copyright: © Damith Osuranga Danthanarayana