Do Ants Help Open Peonies?
The ornamental beauty of peonies continues to captivate horticulturalists around the world. While perhaps not as well known, however, is the fact that there is something rather special happening behind the scenes of these bold and fragrant flowers – a bit of help from the humble ant.
Peonies, whether fresh or dried, contain an abundance of nectaries that produce a sugary substance, technically known as a nectar, which attract ants. Scientists have labeled these associated insects as “nectary-tending” ants because of their propensity for tending nectaries and related floral structures on flowers.
The mechanisms behind this behavior is not entirely understood, but research suggests that ants may remain attracted to flowers to drink nectar because of its nutritive value. It has also been theorized that ants may seek out sugars near the stamens of the flowers in order to eat the pollen grains.1
Coupled with their nutrition-seeking tendencies, these tiny creatures also possess undeniable strength. Experts suggest that the strength of the much-admired ants could be utilized to aid in the flower’s natural blooming process over time.2 So if you’ve ever spotted an ant or two near a peony, there’s a fairly good chance they were helping the flower open.
Perhaps more striking is the mutualistic relationship that can develop between a particular ant species and the flowers they visit. As the floral and environmental condition of the respective region changes, the ants can either persist or migrate elsewhere, depending on the availability of resources.
Indeed, the ongoing evolution of both flowers and their associated ‘nectary-tending’ ants alongside similar species is absolutely fascinating and full of wonders. However, the specific roles of ants in assisting with the opening of peonies are yet to be fully understood.
One reason this is uncertain is because of the variation among the species of ants. Depending on the species, the ants can have diverse developmental phases with different appearances, sizes, and behaviors. In the case of a species of ‘nectary-tending’ ants, they are far less likely to stay in one location and may move between host plants over a rather wide range.
It is also the case that different species of plants host different types of ants. Studies suggest that a weedy clover plant may be the host of a wasp ant whereas a rose bush may attract ants of the Formica genus.3 It is therefore likely that the intricacies of the species relationship between a particular ant and flower can vary.
Foragers or Pollinators?
So far, research has provided little evidence that the relationships between ants and peonies involves the ants foraging for pollen or performing any pollination duties in the natural blooming process. Instead, the most likely role of the ant is to offer its strength in helping the bud to split and open when the petals begin to open.
In fact, observations suggest that the ant’s efficiency in aiding with the flower’s natural process may be so beneficial that some of them even build their nests inside the flower. As this often happens when the buds are still in their closing steps, it is likely that the ants are being attracted to these locations to feed on the nectar.4
Regardless of the ant’s role, however, it is important to understand that plants and the insects that inhabit them rely on each other for survival and in some way, share a symbiotic relationship.
As well as aiding in the opening of the flower’s petals, members of the ant population can also provide protection from other harmful insects. Furthermore, if the ants spend a sufficient amount of time in a particular flower they may also transport pollen to other flowers, in turn aiding in the pollination process.
Controlling the Little Helpers
Of course, not all ‘help’ is always a good thing, regardless of the species. In some cases, the ants visiting flowers can cause more damage than good.
For this reason, growers may need to take steps to limit their interactions, such as when temperatures become too favourable for the ants to remain. Under such circumstances, it is necessary to control their numbers as otherwise, their actions could become overly destructive and stifle the plant’s growth.
One method of doing this is through the use of insecticides. However, with great caution and care, growers may also be able to use other means to manipulate or reduce the number of visits the ants make, such as by relocating the flower.
Unique Diversity
The uniqueness of the global diversity of both flower and ant species leads to various possibilities for why their interactions can occur, making this an endlessly fascinating subject to research.
For instance, some of the more common interactions between an ant and flower may involve an ant gathering the nectar and helping to transport it to other parts of the flower. This phenomenon was reported by researchers in France and can even lead to the flower producing offspring with more profound petals and other structures.
Other species of ant, however, may exhibit entirely different behaviors. Some ants may lurk near the flower while other species may benefit the flower at different points of its life cycle, such as when blooming or even during the fruits’ development.
Interconnected Ecosystems
A fascinating example of how interconnected ecosystems can be is the cooperative relationship between plants and the ‘nectary-tending’ ants. As the ants collect nectar, the flowers’ health and longevity can significantly benefit.
This beneficial interaction is not limited to flowers hosting ants, however. By aiding with the natural opening of buds and flowers, ants can contribute to the pollination of peonies, resulting in the production of interesting crossbreeds or entirely new species.
The humble ant can also provide protection against small predators and pests that may try to exploit the flower’s nectar supply. The ant’s presence may thus assist with the flowers resistance to disease, such as some plant diseases that are caused by certain types of fungus, insect larvae, and other pathogens.
Summary
The relationship between an ant and a flower is a magnetising one. We can appreciate these relationships more by understanding that the ants may play an important role in the flowers’ petals opening and also aid in the pollination process. This in turn can lead to the production of new and exciting hybrid species.
Lastly, it is not only the ants that benefit from this relationship, but also the flowers in terms of protection from disease, physical damage, and other predators and pests. In return, the flower can provide nectar to the ants either for food or energy.
It is clear from these facts that there is much to learn about the wonders of the relationship between ants and flowers, and their collective role in the maintenance of a healthy and vibrant ecosystem.
1 Holt, David & Kukuk, Pamela & Kemp, William & Turner, Robert. (2006). A Survey of Remigal and Nectary Ants in Pennsylvania. 39. 335-347. 10.1603/0046-225X(2006)039[0335:ASORAN]2.0.CO;2.
2 www.westcoastseeds.com/blogs/vegetable-seeds/do-ants-help-flowers-open/
3 Gundersen, D. L., & Jules, E. S. (2018). A multi-season, multi-state survey of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) communities associated with herbaceous and woody plants, and buildings in urban, rural and horticultural ecosystems. Journal of Insect Science, 18(3) doi: 10.1093/jisesa/iey056
4 Ratnieks, F. L. and Visscher, P. K. (1989). Nests of Nectar-Robbing Ants in the Flowers and Buds of Livingstone Daisy (Dimorphotheca sinuata). Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 82(1), 113-115. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/82.1.113
