black ants on my Sunflowers

[valley ranch]

Mary Catherine, That look like the answer to me. Good find digitS.

 

[Mary Catherine Williamson]

Thank you all so much!! So do the ants take the aphids off at night?

MC

 

[digitS']

They protect the aphids from harm.

Aphids are often unable to even crawl out of harm's way. There they are, sucking the life out of a plant. Sitting ducks to any ravenous meat eater.

Here's where the ants come in to the picture. Did you know that ants and wasps are somewhat related. Vicious creatures. To get at the aphid, lacewing or lady bug larvae have to get past the antz! They are all part of that balance of nature thing.

I'm willing to put my thumb on the scale. I mean, sunflowers attract aphids so well that we can use them as a trap crop. What then ... pile dry brush around them and set fire to them??

No, for me it's just like Mom said, "nothing that a little soap and water won't fix." Or, to the barricades and stymie the ants with tangle foot ... and let our friends the lady bugs and lacewings take care of the aphids.

Steve

 

[valley ranch]

Mary Catherine, No, the aphids stay where they're put or taken by the ants.
That's about it, with a sticky barrier you can get rid of the aphids with soap/garlic spray or what ever or the ladybugs.

Please let us know what you do about this and how it works out for you.

Richard

First time I saw Ladybub larva, I was amazed, little monsters.