Recent research has found that much to the apparent dismay of adult aphids, young aphids jump on the backs of larger aphids to escape danger. Researchers proposed that this may be due to their small size. Traveling on the uneven ground terrain makes them more susceptible to predation, so hitching a ride on a larger aphid means a higher likelihood of getting to safety.

Sketch and fact contributed by Karli Chudeau

Gish, M. & Inbar, M. (2018). Standing on the shoulders of giants: young aphids piggyback on adults when searching for a host plant. Frontiers in Zoology, 15(1) DOI: 10.1186/s12983-018-0292-7