Ants on Ulmus americana buds?

Horticulture
1

Hi folks,

Should I be concerned about these ants? They’re on several of the newly leafing buds. Tree is a recently collected Ulmus americana (I’m almost positive).

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Thanks!

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2

Can’t see any ants, but if I found any I would be looking for aphids. Geoff

2 Likes
3

Thanks much! I checked thoroughly for aphids but couldn’t find any. The ants have since departed as well. My suspicion is that the elm was pushing so many resources that it was leaking sugar-water at branch nodes.

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It took me a second to find them. They’re at the base of the twigs. No idea what they’re doing there.

5

And have since departed without harm. Farewell, tiny carapace communists.