Aphid Milking Ants

[Asylumental]

I'm just wondering are there any specific species of ants that milk aphids?

Or is it something common amongst a lot of different species?

I seem to be having a hard time finding a clear answer with a Google search...most search result talk about the aphid more than the ants..

Any of them located in Canada?

[harvesterant]

I have heard of wood ants milking aphids. These ants seem to live in Canada.

[JoeHostile1]

I believe many species of ants exhibit this behaviour. Probably all sub terrain species in Canada milk root aphids. These are species that forage underground such as the parasitic species Lasius claviger, ect. Camponotus species farm aphids that live on plants bushes. As well as Formica species, I know this because one time I walked through a bush and then had a strong burning sensation on my arm. I looked down and there was like 10 Formica workers attacking my arm.

Basically any ants you see on trees or plants are probably farming aphids.

[AntsDakota]

I'm just wondering are there any specific species of ants that milk aphids?

Or is it something common amongst a lot of different species?

I seem to be having a hard time finding a clear answer with a Google search...most search result talk about the aphid more than the ants..

Any of them located in Canada?

There are thousands of species that milk aphids. A few common examples would be the genera Lasius, Formica, Camponotus, and Myrmica. All of these genera both exist and are very common throughout Canada, the U.S., and Europe (except in the arctic, where there are almost no ants).

[Asylumental]

Thank you so much for your replies, definitely very informative and I will research into those mentioned species to try and learn how to recognize them and find them in my area.