國立自然科學博物館

蚜蟲就像螞蟻圈養的小乳牛，透過蜜露建立起共生關係。蚜蟲吸取植物汁液後，排泄物含有豐富糖類，稱為「蜜露」，是搭起兩物種間友誼橋樑的關鍵。螞蟻會用頭上觸角輕輕拍打蚜蟲的腹部，刺激蚜蟲從肛門排出「蜜露」。嗜甜如命的螞蟻怎能抵擋如此美食誘惑！當天敵獵食蚜蟲時，螞蟻會適時挺身而出擊退天敵，確保蚜蟲之安全。 自然界中跨物種進行結盟，彼此各取所需，螞蟻與蚜蟲可稱為「最佳拍檔」。

Aphids can be likened to milk cows of an ant colony but do not produce milk. Aphids ingest tree sap and excrete honeydew, which is rich in sugars. This is the key to their symbiotic relationship. Ants use their antennae to gently stroke the abdomens of aphids, prompting them to expel honeydew. How can ants resist such a sweet treat? Ants repel predators to ensure the safety of the aphids. Such cross-species alliances in the nature provide for the mutual needs. The ants and aphids can be described as “best partners”.

曾慶瑀-最佳拍檔：螞蟻與蚜蟲1