• Rose Thorne
    36•11 months ago

    They do! Well, at least certain species do. They groom the aphids to harvest a sweet excretion.

    It’s a really neat relationship.

    • pjhenry1216
      29•11 months ago

      I mean, it’s not just any excretion. It’s a byproduct of sorts of the aphids digestive system.

      From wikipedia on “Honeydew (secretion)”:

      When their mouthpart penetrates the phloem, the sugary, high-pressure liquid is forced out of the anus of the aphid.

      • Electric
        27•11 months ago

        mouthpart penetrates the phloem

        liquid is forced out of the anus

        Sweet Jesus.

        • pjhenry1216
          18•11 months ago

          Sweet Jesus.

          Yes, apparently it does taste very sweet.

          I’ll see myself out.

      • Rose Thorne
        6•11 months ago

        Well, there’s at least video of ants getting the honeydew, so I guess if one’s kinky enough, it’s porn for ants.