While out in my backyard I noticed some Formica subsericea and Some Lasius sp. tending aphids on a bush. I took a piece of the bush that had well over 100 aphids on it. I put it in my Lasius neoniger's outworld to see how they would react. I got impatient so I tossed a worker or two on the plant. For the most part they ignored the aphids and focused on getting down. That made me wonder how ant colonies aquired aphid cultures in the first place... Do they just find some aphids, then start tending them?
This would also apply to mealy bugs, certain caterpillars, ground aphids, etc. How would one get his colony to accept the insects? Has this ever been accomplished in captivity? It would be awesome if my ants had an aphid culture, but I assume that is is a very delicate and intricate process.
