> My chile plants have their own private pollinators by having a > hive of what you would call "killer bees" in a big old oak tree > real close to them. My rocotos are under this tree and this > year doing real well. > > I see ants crawling all over my chile plants and always in and > out of the flowers. Do ants play any part in pollination of this > species? If you have ants crawling on your chiles, chances are that you have aphids. Ants actually move aphids from plant to plant because they collect the secretions or "honeydew" If your killer bees are wasps, they are great aphid predators, but they are not quite as friendly as lace wings or ladybird beetles. If you want to divert aphids from your chiles, try planting sunflowers nearby. Aphids seem to prefer them. Dave Anderson Tough Love Chile Co. http://www.tough-love.com