Nature's candy shop! Drop of honey attracts over 100 ants to sticky treat

Photographer Husni bin Che Ngah spotted the fascinating nature sight in Bayan Lepas in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

A drop of honey on a leaf turned into a sugary banket for more than 100 ants in Pulau Pinang, north west Malaysia. (Husni bin Che Ngah/Solent News/REX)

A drop of honey appeared on the leaf of this plant - and 30 minutes later more then 100 ants marched towards it and gathered around for a feed.

Photographer Husni bin Che Ngah watched in awe as the ants first sensed the food before circling the oval drop after 'appearing from nowhere'.

The stunned engineer saw the ants drink the drop dry until there was nothing left on the leaf of the Satawar plant.

The scene - captured near his home in Bayan Lepas in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia - was something he said he'd never seen before.

Husni bin Che Ngah watched in awe as the ants first sensed the food before circling the oval drop, and then began to feed. (Husni bin Che Ngah/Solent News/REX)
Husni bin Che Ngah watched in awe as the ants first sensed the food before circling the oval drop, and then began to feed. (Husni bin Che Ngah/Solent News/REX)
Sweet tooth: The ants drank the drop of honey dry until there was nothing left on the leaf of the plant. (Husni bin Che Ngah/Solent News/REX)
Sweet tooth: The ants drank the drop of honey dry until there was nothing left on the leaf of the plant. (Husni bin Che Ngah/Solent News/REX)
Ants are omnivorous and usually dine on<span style=font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; lang=EN-US>nectar, seed and other invertebrates</span>.(Husni bin Che Ngah/Solent News/REX)
Ants are omnivorous and usually dine onnectar, seed and other invertebrates.(Husni bin Che Ngah/Solent News/REX)

Ants are notorious for maintaining a diet of anything sweet - but this is not entirely accurate.

Most species of ants are omnivorous and feed on a selection of seeds, nectar and other invertebrates.

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These particular ants appear to be weaver ants who, true to their omnivorous nature, will eat anything from small creatures to seeds – but they are said to be particularly partial to nectar.

The weaver ant is found predominantly in Australia and across South East Asias, and is particularly aggressive when disturbed – so it’s probably a good idea that Husni didn’t disturb their sticky meal.

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