Ant tending aphids against a parasitic wasp on Black Sage

Here is an ant tending its aphids on a just-opened flower cluster of native Black Sage (Salvia mellifera, Lamiaceae). If you look on the flower to the right, you can see what the ant is protecting its aphids from - a tiny parasitic wasp! The wasp's "stinger" is really an ovipositor - designed to stick an aphid and deliver a wasp egg inside. (The larva will kill its host, so it's more properly a parasitoid wasp.) I guess the wasp is a Braconid Wasp (Braconidae, Hymenoptera), though are other possibilities. I have no idea about the ant or the aphids. I like this photo - it shows the cooperation and competition that make up nature, just right for Earth Day. (San Marcos Pass, 21 April 2018)

Taken in: United States / California / Santa Barbara (show map)

Taken on: April 21, 2018

Tags:

aphid

Aphididae

Hemiptera

ant

Formicidae

parasitoid

Braconid Wasp

Braconidae

Ichneumonoidea

Parasitica

Hymenoptera

Black Sage

Salvia mellifera

Lamiaceae

San Marcos Pass

Santa Barbara County

California « less

Sets appears in: • Flora 4 • All Insects 5 more » • Wasps and Bees (Hymenoptera) • Hoppers and Aphids (old Homoptera) • Ants (Formicidae) « less

Groups appears in: • Ants • Insect Photography more » • Aphid • Native Plants of California • Parasitic Wasps « less

Camera: Nikon D7100, f/11.0, 1/800 sec, 105mm (=157mm), ISO 280 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D7100
Aperture:	f/11.0
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/800)
Focal Length:	105mm (35mm equivalent: 157mm)
ISO:	280
Exposure Bias:	-1/3 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Center-weighted average
White Balance:	Manual
Light Source:	Fine Weather
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Ver.1.01
Show full info

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