Ants attacking ladybirds

[almendro]

Although I have a lot of ladybirds on my plot I still have a lot of aphids.

When I investigated in more depth I found that most of the ladybirds were not happily munching away on aphids in areas of high infestation.

I tried physically placing the ladybirds on the aphids on my broad beans.

After being on an aphid infested leaf for a few seconds the ladybirds are approached by ants who seem to put their front feelers under the wing of the ladybird after which the ladybirds fly off. Supposedly the ants squirt formic acid on the ladybirds which scares them off.

I wonder if anyone else has observed the phenomenon of ants acting as minders for aphids.

Has anyone any ideas about disrupting the ant-aphid partnership?

[kernowyon]

not claiming to be an expert, but ants 'farm' aphids for the honeydew that they secrete. suppose they are just protecting the 'livestock' from predators.
as for how to overcome this, no idea but some other more brainy grape will no doubt have the answer

[rustylady]

Yes, I've seen this happen. The ants farm the aphids as Kernowyon says. You'll need to spray the aphids with soft soap or insecticide to get rid of them. Ladybirds do a good job on small infestations but don't appreciate being introduced to an aphid farm minded by ants.

[Snadger]

It's very interesting to watch though!

Last year my broad beans were covered in blackfly and the ants were running up and down the stems like crazy. I must admit I thought they were eating the blackfly?

[Two_Sheds]

Even without the ants, you'd be better off moving the larvae than the adult ladybirds: apparently the adults won't move into the territory of another adult, and will fly off if put there. So there.

[MadamJoJo]

I may be mistaken, but I think it is the ladybird larvae, rather than the adult that eat aphids...correct me if i'm wrong.

[Geo]

A ladybug eating aphids - the ants are not amused

>>>Click<<<


Geo..

[bendm]

Aphids and Ants

Ants will also move aphids to the most succulent part of the plant and possibly to new plants to increase the colony.I'm convinced that the more ants you have around your plot the more aphids you'll have.

[valmarg]

I may be mistaken, but I think it is the ladybird larvae, rather than the adult that eat aphids...correct me if i'm wrong.

They both eat aphids.

I think it's the lacewing larvae that eat aphids, and not the adults.

valmarg

[jeannine]

To get rid of ants, just dig the plot over regularly - when you find a nest pop it on your bird table. You'll know it's a nest because of all the white eggs. If they are red ants wear gloves as they can be vicious little critters.

Re aphids, don't waste your money on insecticides, you could kill off all the natural predators (such as Blue Tits) and end up with a much bigger problem on your hands. It only takes seconds to kill aphids with a spray of cold water from a garden hose. It's cheap, easy, organic AND it washes them off your plants.