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

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Sugar Suckers

The giant forest ant which can be found throughout tropical South-East Asia, is one of the biggest ants on earth. Despite their size they obtain about 90% of their food from Hemipterans in form of honeydew. By stroking the planthopper with their antennae the ants stimulate it to release the high energy food, in return the ants may offer the planthopper protection from predators and parasites.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2019
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: Kuching, Malaysia
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Copyright: © Bernhard Schubert