Farmer

The ants are busily farming the aphids on the globe artichoke stems. Apparently they "milk" them for their honeydew (is that their wee?)

The allotment is hoachin' with ladybirds who love eating aphids, but evidently they can't get near these guys. D tells me that the ants fend of the ladybirds by nipping their knees, since they can't get any purchase on those shiny wing cases.