Wingless, root-dwelling aphids from the same species can come in two different shapes: round or flat. While the round sapsuckers maintain a peaceful, mutually beneficial relationship with ants, the ...

For plant species that depend on animal-mediated pollination, reproduction hinges on adequate access to pollinators. Even in the presence of intact pollinator assemblages, negative interactions among ...

It’s an insect Jekyll and Hyde. A species of aphid that often forms a mutually beneficial relationship with ants will occasionally turn on its protectors, infiltrating their nest and sucking vital ...

This article is reposted from the old WordPress incarnation of Not Exactly Rocket Science. The blog is on holiday until the start of October, when I’ll return with fresh material. In your garden, ...

In mutualistic interactions, partners obtain a net benefit, but there may also be costs associated with the provision of benefits for a partner. The question of whether aphids suffer such costs when ...

Some ants treat their own infections by eating aphids containing an antiseptic ingredient. In previous laboratory experiments, silky ants (Formica fusca) with fungal infections chose to eat food laced ...

Aphids (plant lice) and ants carry minibacteria that produce essential amino acids and vitamins. These minibacteria have very limited genetic material and many broken genes. Now, researchers have ...

The 50 shades of green in spring gardens trigger a biological chain reaction. It begins with the flush of new vegetative growth, which plants produce as the weather warms. The succulent shoots attract ...

Black ants on green leaves in garden - Yoharsi/Getty Images We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. While you're out there gazing at the ornamental flowers you so lovingly planted ...

One of the worst effects of ant infestation doesn’t happen inside your house or on your picnic blanket. It takes place in farms and gardens, where many species of ants tend to herds of aphids. These ...