Which Plants Do Ants Eat?
WouterAlmost every ecosystem on the planet has ants. These small, wingless insects have been around for a long time, and there are thousands of species in the world. Some are opportunistic and feed on anything, while others are specialized to carry food back to the colony.
There are two species that can kill plants: leafcutter ants and fire ants. Leafcutter ants are found in tropical climates, and they can carry up to 20 times their body weight in plant matter. They collect leaves and fungi to feed their larvae.
Fire ants are a direct threat to humans, because they bite. Their bites can be painful. They can also kill plants by breaking their roots.
Often, ants will kill plants by feeding on aphids, which produce honeydew. These insects are sap-sucking pests that have hollow needle-like tubes. They are attracted to plants that produce sweet nectar.
Some plants that produce sweet nectar are peonies and roses. Some fruits also produce nectar, such as strawberries and plums. Argentine ants are small, black ants that nest in the soil. They are also attracted to sweet foods.
Leafcutter ants have strong mandibles, which allow them to cut large chunks of plant matter. The pieces are then carried back to the nest to feed fungi. The ants feed on the fungus and enzymes, which they use to digest the plant material.
Ants are also attracted to sweet plants, like fruit plants. They also prefer to eat insects, like aphids, which produce honeydew. In addition, ants are often attracted to small flowers.
