20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
The ant shepherds

4 Lasius niger ants, farming a flock of Callaphis juglandis aphids on a walnut leaf. While the aphids feed on the tree juices and sap, which they suck out of the leaf´s middle vein, the ants protect them, keep them in line and hope to get some of the sweet juices the aphids produce.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Velbert, Germany
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Copyright: © Christian Brockes