Noticed that the young bush I've been cultivating is attracting loads of them. At first I assumed they were farming aphids so had a good look round, ready to squish. No sign of any. Then I noticed that the ants are actually climbing into the little open flowers.
Any ideas what they're up to in there? I don't suppose there's any hope that they're just kindly pollinating for me?
you sure there's none hiding in there, little baby ones, ours were covered in the manky things, I've puffed derris in them..every new shoot, covered in ants..and greenfly - yeuk :)
Ants will search out nectar. Some plants (don't know if this is true of blackcurrants) have evolved to attract ants because once the ants are established, they attack other predators, including greenfly, thus protecting the plant.
Having said this, I have a 6 year old established plant that has suddenly died, and I have no idea why...... Just failed to leaf up and looks like a lot of dead sticks.
Fortunately I took a lot of cuttings last year because I wanted my blackcurrants in a different place, and they are healthy and green.