Aphid-Ant Association in Willow Aphids

The association of aphids Cavariella aegopodii and Tuberolachnus salignus with the ants was studied in Shimla, Mashobra, Shoghi and Solan localities of Himachal Pradesh. The ant species associated are Myrmica rugosa Mayr, Myrmica smythiesii Forel, Aphaenogaster cristata Forel and Aphaenogaster sp. These ants were found in the aphid colonies only in spring and summer seasons. However, in some aphid colonies in Solan there were no ants indicating that this association is facultative myrmecophily. The close observation of the ant attended colonies showed that the ants tap the abdomen of aphids with their antennae to get more honey dew and generally a foraging ant stimulates the aphids to produce more honey dew through antennation.