I have sunflowers growing outside (in central Maryland). On the underside of almost every leaf is exactly one insect with a very irregular shape. It clings to the bottom of the leaf, right in the center. When flicked off, they fly. They’re about the size of two grains of rice, and mottled brown.
There are also ants who seem to be “tending” these other bugs. Small black ants, not big like carpenter ants. There are several ants, 4 – 7 or so, on the underside of each leaf, interacting with the one other bug there.
Anyone know what these are? Are the ants really “farming” them, like they do aphids? There is definitely some symbiotic relationship going on, but I can’t quite tell what.
Thanks.
From the description, they sound like leafhoppers. Some kinds of ants tend sap-feeding insects, including aphids, mealybugs, leafhoppers and others for the honeydew they produce. These insects need to pass a lot of dilute sap through their systems in order to get enough protein. The water and sugar is excess to their needs, so they excrete a sugar water solution called honeydew that the ants feed on. The ants protect them from predators in return.
Why thank you. The bug in that picture does look alot like what’s on my sunflowers, although mine are darker (more like the color of tree bark).
Thanks !!
One example of a truly beneficial symbiotic relationship. The leafhopper gets protection, the ants get their bounty, all are happy.
