This series of ants on peony (Paeonia) flower buds is being made in part to determine if there is any truth to the old wives' tale that ants are integral to the successful blooming of peony flowers. The sources that I've found say that ants, attracted by the buds' sweet nectar, are benefitial to peonies, but only because they eat soft-bodied insects that would otherwise harm the peonies. Contrary to the common wisdom, peony flowers will bloom without the aid of ants. See peonies.org for a FAQ on this topic.
