Beneficial Insects: crowder peas and black ants?

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lssfishhunter Jonesville, SC(Zone 7b) Jul 21, 2009

Every year my crowder peas have black ants on the tip of pod. Almost every single pod has one on it when I go to pick. I don't think the ants will bite because I haven't been bitten yet (knock on wood). These ants are larger than fireants. Are these black ants beneficial or not? If beneficial, what are their purposes? Thanks for the responses.

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Farmerdill Augusta, GA(Zone 8a) Jul 21, 2009

In most cases they are herding aphids. The ants themselves don't do any damage altho they will feed on sap from the peas. But when you have ants on your peas watch out for aphids and cuculios. The ants are secondary feeders either feeding on the honeydew from the aphids or the sap available from damage by puncturing type insects.

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