FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Fun Trivia
Home: Questions and Answers Forum
Answers to 100,000 Fascinating Questions
Welcome to FunTrivia's Question & Answer forum!

Search All Questions


Please cite any factual claims with citation links or references from authoritative sources. Editors continuously recheck submissions and claims.

Archived Questions

Goto Qn #


Why are aphids sometimes called "ant cows" or "honey dew cows"?

Question #151567. Asked by unclerick.
Last updated Aug 09 2024.
Originally posted Aug 09 2024 7:20 AM.

avatar
flopsymopsy star
Answer has 2 votes
flopsymopsy star
Moderator
19 year member
59 replies avatar

Answer has 2 votes.
Aphids give off a secretion that ants like to eat, so much so that they even stroke the aphids to make them produce it. The secretion is sweet, like honeydew. In return the ants protect the aphids from their predators, which is a bit like a farmer protecting cattle so they can be milked. Hence the terms "ant cows", "ant cattle", etc.

link https://www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/potty-gardening-club-ant-farmers-and-aphid-cattle/
Response last updated by flopsymopsy on Aug 09 2024.
Aug 09 2024, 7:45 AM
free email trivia FREE! Get a new mixed Fun Trivia quiz each day in your email. It's a fun way to start your day!


arrow Your Email Address:

Sign in or Create Free User ID to participate in the discussion

Other Similar Questions & Answers

Related FunTrivia Quizzes

play quiz The Science of Cows
(Miscellaneous Science)
play quiz More Cows on Television
(Animals On TV)
play quiz Until the Cows Come Home
(Rebuses)

Return to FunTrivia
"Ask FunTrivia" strives to offer the best answers possible to trivia questions. We ask our submitters to thoroughly research questions and provide sources where possible. Feel free to post corrections or additions. This is server B184.