These Ants Are Farming Insects for Their Sugary Poop

You may be surprised to learn that humans are not the only farmers on the planet. Some animals farm other species to obtain a product they desire. Meet the Argentine ant and hop onto this clip to take a look around their ‘farm’ where they nurture Asian citrus psyllids so that they can feed on their poop! Read on to discover more about this fascinating relationship.

Farming in a Citrus Grove

The footage was captured in an orange orchard with trees heavily laden with fruit. Crawling along the ground and in the trees are loads of Argentine ants (Linepithema humile). This small but highly successful ant species is invasive across the globe. Their native region is South America, where they are still found in high numbers. However, human commercial activities have spread them to many other areas that have a Mediterranean climate.

They live in large colonies and are very good at finding food sources. As omnivores, they are aggressive predators; several ants work as a team to attack prey. They feed on many other insect species, bird eggs, and dead arthropods. However, a significant part of their diet is made up of plant food, specifically the honeydew produced by tiny sap-sucking creatures.

Interestingly, a colony’s food preferences can change over time. Newly established colonies tend to focus on protein-rich food and prey insects. Established colonies, however, primarily consume honeydew, which is mainly composed of carbohydrates (sugars). The ants have become candy farmers!

Long-Term Mutualism

The ribbons of the sticky white substance that the ants in this clip are so obsessed with are actually psyllid poop. Specifically, it has been produced by the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri). These tiny insects are only 0.125 inches long and feed on the feather flush and young green stems of citrus plants. Their poop is super sticky but also rich in sugar, and therefore provides a lot of energy. The ants value it so highly that they actively cultivate psyllids to ensure a steady supply.

The relationship between the ants and the psyllids is known as long-term mutualism. The benefit for the ants is obvious – they get a large supply of honeydew in the form of candy strips. But what about the psyllids?

They get protection. The ants protect their ‘livestock’ by fending off any potential predators. This includes the ladybug and hoverfly larvae, and the parasitoid wasp you see in the clip. The ants make short work of scaring off these potential threats. It’s just like a shepherd protecting their flocks from a wolf, but on a smaller scale!

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