Ants on my peonies....

[Playboy_Mommy]

Quick shot of the ants nibbling away on my peonies. I've been told that the ants eat through the outer shell on the buds so that the flowers can bloom. No ants = no flowers. But I've gotten conflicting information about this phenomenon. I'd like to believe it's true, though; it sounds like a pretty cool little symbiotic relationship.

Shot in manual mode with my Nikon D3200. Thanks for looking!

-Michelle

Sent from my iPhone

 

[mmaria]

they're oof

 

[The_Traveler]

You would get much usable critique if you allowed editing.
IMO, this is badly framed with lots on extra space on right side and top.

 

[MisterMiagi]

woah, that's a cool symbiosis

 

[Playboy_Mommy]

woah, that's a cool symbiosis

I know! I had never heard of that before. For years I've been worried that the ants were hurting the flowers whenever I saw them swarming (sometimes there are so many ants that the buds just look black!), but apparently these guys are dating. Lol. Here are a few more shots.

(I wasn't trying to create a masterpiece here - I literally just fired off a handful of shots, trying to quickly capture the ants doing their thing. Not necessarily "serious work," just wanted to share something I learned about the relationship here. I realize that these photos aren't perfect.)

Sent from my iPhone

 

[The_Traveler]

That relationship doesn't exist.
Ants do not gnaw through the outer coating to allow the buds to bloom
Ants are attracted to sweet things. HPS Frequently Asked Questions
Peonies give off a sweet nectar.

Thus ants appear.

 

[Ec1981]

I think you did a great job getting those ants, and very clear as well, great work

 

[Playboy_Mommy]

I think you did a great job getting those ants, and very clear as well, great work

Thank you very much!

Sent from my iPhone