Caught in the Act!

An ant on a peony bud. Photo by Bruce Stambaugh

I was working in the backyard when I noticed an ant on a peony bud. Immediately, I thought of the old idea that peony buds need ants to transform from bud to flower.

I didn’t know exactly why or how that interaction worked. So, of course, I Googled it.

It turns out that it’s a myth. Michele Warmund of the Plant and Science Department of the University of Missouri says peonies can blossom all on their own. However, the biological mutualism between ants and peonies is true.

Peony flowers provide food for ants, who keep harmful floral-feeding insects away in return. According to Warmund, spraying the peonies with insecticides is unnecessary. The ants will protect the flowers as long as they can obtain food.

So, if you see ants on your peonies, celebrate!

Author: Bruce Stambaugh

I am a writer, author, photographer, birder, walker, hiker, husband, father, grandfather, brother, Anabaptist, and community activist. My life is crammed with all things people and nature and wonder. My late father gave me this penchant for giving and getting the most out of life, my late mother the courtesy, kindness, and creativity to see the joy in life. They both taught me to cherish the people I am with. I try and fail and try again. View all posts by Bruce Stambaugh

2 thoughts on “Caught in the Act!”

Thanks for this interesting information.

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Interesting research here. I always hated to see ants on our peonies when I was young, but am happy to know they serve a purpose. We don’t have any peonies here, sorry to say.

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