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Mon, Aug 2, 10 at 16:16
| I've got tons of large-to-medium black ants hanging out on the underside of my ligularia leaves. I only noticed when I was watering them - the ants started running around in all directions. It looks like they are gathering around some particular spots under the leaves.
Does anyone know why they are there? Do they do something beneficial to ligularia? It's weird. Thanks,
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Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by brainlessgardener MA (My Page) on Tue, Aug 3, 10 at 16:45
| I answered my own question. I found out online that ants will "farm" aphids because they love their sweet secretions. They protect the aphids from their natural predators. When I looked closely under the ligularia leaves I noticed clusters of aphids. So, I sprayed with a dish soap solution, which at least knocked the aphids off the leaves. |
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