I have a bunch of Fox palms on my property, and just planted a few young trees ...

We always have lots of ants here, but now I noticed them taking over the Fox trees.

They are building some kind of a white stuff on the bottom of the branches. Is that

some sort of a nest ?

Besides of being slightly annoying (these ants don't seem to bite), are they harming

the trees by invading them ? Or are they good for the trees ?

Attached are a few pics, any constructive feedback appreciated ...

Thanks,

rudi

I think what you have here is Mealy bugs (the white stuff), and the ants are eating that... so nature doing its "natural" thing!

Thanks samuijimmy !

I looked at the original pics and blew them up more, and am still not quite sure. Will investigate further.

FYI, Wiki also says the ants protect those bugs, and don't eat them ...

rudi