I know one is sometype of ant, they are about 1/4 " for reference; but what are the other tiny things, and two white egg looking things? They are on the underside of a large 6 foot sunflower up from birdseed. I know they are host plants for some bfs and moths but unsure what these are.
I have heard of ants herding/protecting aphids so they can 'drink' the honeydew produced by the aphids. That's what this party looks like to me! The aphids being the little oval white 'things.'
Most if not all the pale yellow/off-white objects appear to be aphids, and the tiny white objects appear to be shed skins of aphids that have molted. I cannot tell what the small darker creatures are for certain; one even might be a very young lady beetle larva. A more clearly focused image might help.
The "herding aphids" sounds like what I saw. When I lifted the leaf up the ants are running around in circles it appears. I will see about a better pic tomorrow.
On the same plant there was another strange looking insect too. I will see if I can get a better pic of them also. I was hoping the little black guys were cats, but when I disturb them they are way to fast for cats.
Not entirely solved, but I will try for better pictures and repost if I see them again this year. Solved for now.
They remind me of a treehopper nymph I see every summer. Ants are always nearby them, too.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/showimage/7053/
That is definately what I saw, thanks Claypa. I suppose the ones nearby are the treehopper nymphs?
In the picture I linked to? Yes, adult Entylia treehopper, eggs and nymphs.
Thanks again.
