• Rose Thorne
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      3611 months ago

      They do! Well, at least certain species do. They groom the aphids to harvest a sweet excretion.

      It’s a really neat relationship.

      • pjhenry1216
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        2911 months ago

        I mean, it’s not just any excretion. It’s a byproduct of sorts of the aphids digestive system.

        From wikipedia on “Honeydew (secretion)”:

        When their mouthpart penetrates the phloem, the sugary, high-pressure liquid is forced out of the anus of the aphid.

        • Electric
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          11 months ago

          mouthpart penetrates the phloem

          liquid is forced out of the anus

          Sweet Jesus.

          • pjhenry1216
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            1811 months ago

            Sweet Jesus.

            Yes, apparently it does taste very sweet.

            I’ll see myself out.

        • Rose Thorne
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          611 months ago

          Well, there’s at least video of ants getting the honeydew, so I guess if one’s kinky enough, it’s porn for ants.

      • @tetraodon@feddit.it
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        11 months ago

        It’s a really neat relationship.

        No, it’s a really ant relationship.

        quickly grabs coat even though it’s sweltering hot