Oleander Aphids on Milkweed by Chipka

Photography • Insects • posted on Sep 30, 2016

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Description

Berwyn Illinois isn’t known for very much; it’s a quiet middle-of-the road sort of place: largely residential and home to dozens of not-entirely-spectacular insurance agencies, real-estate agencies, and doctor’s offices. When one goes a bit out of the way, however, Berwyn’s true ecology begins to show itself; scores of rabbits have claimed the residential neighborhoods, cultivated milkweed draws scores of insects: primarily brilliantly yellow oleander aphids, and garishly-colored large milkweed bugs. The large milkweed bugs are a direct competitor to monarch butterflies and so the presence of these true bugs (in their smart vermillion and black outfits) is an indication that the milkweed plant is a no-fly zone for monarch butterflies. Indeed, upon the arrival of these insects in late summer, indigenous oleander aphid populations move on as well. I discovered these oleander aphids at home on a milkweed plant poking through a neighbor’s fence. I was surprised to learn that milkweed toxins have no effect on them, and it seems that their honeydew is non-toxic, as it seems to have no ill effects on the ants that are drawn to the aphids. (It’s likely that oleander aphid honeydew is mildly toxic and leaves ants somewhat snockered; this is just a guess, however, as it’s sometimes hard to tell if an ant is intoxicated or not; unlike humans, ant’s aren’t in the habit of staggering around and breaking into song [or fights] when intoxicated. Oh, but they’re extremely protective of the yellow aphids gleaming on fresh shoots of milkweed growth like the strangest of garish, yellow jewels.) Like their red aphid cousins, oleander aphids produce honeydew, which is sought after by other insects; this substance is secreted from small chimney-like organs called cornicles; these organs extend upward and outward from the back of the aphid abdomen. As with their red aphid cousins, oleander aphids are often tended by ants from nearby colonies. Indeed ants may actually harvest and transplant oleander aphid populations. More than once, I’ve witnessed industrious carpenter ants moving such aphids from one milkweed plant to another: this I suspect had more to do with guaranteeing ease of honeydew access rather than anything else. Ants are efficient creatures, after all. These oleander aphids, on milkweed, were photographed just this past summer and at the time of this photograph, they were a new discovery. As always, thank you for viewing and reading and commenting; hopefully I’ll be able to catch up on the whole year of viewing and commenting that I’m eagerly looking forward to.

Comments (21)

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noneother

6:20PM | Fri, 30 September 2016

The constrast of the yellow on green is awesome. I have never seen aphids like that before. I always thought they were only green in color. They almost look alien.

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jac204

6:20PM | Fri, 30 September 2016

Is this something that will create a problem for the monarch butterfly population down the road? Anyway, great to hear from you again.

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lwperkins Online Now!

6:41PM | Fri, 30 September 2016

Aphids are colorful and fascinating and I am always so happy to see those wasp come and eat them. Spectacular capture!

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RodS

9:32PM | Fri, 30 September 2016

Holy cow! Look what the cat dragged in! I thought you'd become another victim of the 'Revolution' - welcome back, Chip!

Great macro of these colorful little critters.

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beachzz

12:03AM | Sat, 01 October 2016

Hey, looks who's back!! Always great to see you and as usual one of your wonderful fotos. You always capture the most amazing things!!

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SunriseGirl

12:49AM | Sat, 01 October 2016

WOW what a comeback! A gorgeous photo and interesting story. Also I must admire your ambition. I have finally admitted to myself that I can never catch up. So I just look when I can and occasionally like now leave a comment because I just must add my welcome back. However, mostly these day I accept the fact that I am mostly a lurker. Anyway welcome back to RR and if you find yourself with more like than comments you can be pretty certain it was me lurking and liking.

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wysiwig

1:27AM | Sat, 01 October 2016

Now this is a big herd. I read years ago about how ants wrangle aphids. I had no idea they could be so large and in different colors.

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giulband

2:06AM | Sat, 01 October 2016

Capture of great effect !!!

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jendellas

3:14AM | Sat, 01 October 2016

Good to see you back, That is an amazing capture & info. x

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claude19

3:37AM | Sat, 01 October 2016

I am astonished that Mother Nature has provided pâs ladybugs squads to devour all these aphids !!! that Nature is weird, and like species in sects cotoient to others who profit !!! excellent capture !!!

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durleybeachbum

4:31AM | Sat, 01 October 2016

Absolutely fascinating, Chip, such a niche creature. I also rather like the mental image you gave me of inebriated ants. Great to have you back!

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KatesFriend

4:38PM | Sat, 01 October 2016

Indeed, as with so many others here, it is great to hear from you again Chip. So many Rendos had dropped from the wayside in the last year, so I for one am glad to see another upload from yourself. And this is a truly eye grabbing image for your return. The aphids look rather a lot like the animated bugs I once saw in an (even then) ancient IBM movie on computerized sorting. And what an amazing colour which is in striking contrasts with the milkweed. You have always had a sharp eye for finding the very alien microcosms which reside just out of our own back doors.

I have to admit that I've never scene anything like this in my part of the world. I did know about ants and how they tended to assist other insects and plants which were of benefit to them. Though I had never scene such a thing in north eastern North America - St. Lawrence watershed.

Cheers from Canada!

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Faemike55

5:22PM | Sat, 01 October 2016

Great find and description - I just learned something new today! Thanks
great to see you posting again

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bmac62

7:26PM | Sat, 01 October 2016

Colorful little buggers. Fascinating commentary. Good to see your post. TK and I missed you:-)

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auntietk

9:37PM | Sat, 01 October 2016

They're like a flower! How beautiful! I've missed your enthusiasm for bugs and bug-like people. It's an enthusiasm I don't share, but when you talk about them I get all excited anyway! :D

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sharky_

1:21AM | Sun, 02 October 2016

Wow! They came in numbers... Aloha my friend.

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kgb224

9:14AM | Sun, 02 October 2016

Great find and capture my friend. It is good to see you back at Renderosity. God bless.

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photosynthesis

4:57PM | Sun, 02 October 2016

Great shot & interesting reading (had never heard about this relationship between ants & aphids before). Nor have I ever seen yellow aphids or any kind in such a multitude. I always found your photos & writing unique & fascinating - welcome back...

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