Ants invade kitchens in search of sugary treats and they invade flowering plants in search of sugary nectar.
Just like in the kitchen, Ants can be destructive.
Scientists have discovered that some ants secrete a natural substance that acts as an antibiotic to protect them from bacterial and fungal infections. This secretion is said to kill pollen grains thereby harming plants.
So why do they appear in the list of pollinators ?
Ants do visit and pollinate plants that are low-growing such as succulents and euphorbias. Ants have been said to be useful in pollinating plants in harsh, dry climates where there are not many other pollinators available.
Ants and the sweet spot.
According to a study published by the American Journal of Botany revealed a complex relationship between ants and flowering plants whereby the sugar content of nectar contained in flowers visited by ants was altered and this can have diverse ramifications for the plant and other pollinators.
Whilst Ants are not the greatest pollinators, they play a complex role in the ecological system that is worth continuous research and study.
Myrmecophily is the term used to describe pollination by ants.
