Someone will probably try and tell you these field ants (Formica sp.) are farming these Aster treehoppers (Publilia concava) to harvest the nectar they excrete. Let’s be honest, though, they are clearly practicing necromancy.

#AntsOfBluesky #AntsFarming #MacroPhotography

Image of a dead nettle plant, leaves darkening towards purple/black at top of stem to dark green lower, with two small purple pink flowers. Two thatching ants on plant by flowers, about size of flower.

Thatching ants working a dead nettle nectar mine.

Visiting family on #vashonisland

#pacificnorthwest
#antsofbluesky
#deadnettle

(Really pleased with how this came out)