Insect that "farms" aphids for their honeydew

ANT

["Here’s a helpful hint for your crossword:\n\n**\"Tiny creature known for teamwork and carrying food back to its colony.\"**\n\nThis hint guides the solver toward the answer by highlighting well-known ant behaviors (teamwork, foraging) without directly referencing aphids or honeydew. It’s easier than the original clue but still requires the solver to make the connection."]

The clue "Insect that 'farms' aphids for their honeydew" leads to the answer **"ANT"** through a combination of literal meaning and behavioral reference. 1. **Literal Meaning**: The clue specifies an insect, and ants are indeed insects. 2. **Behavioral Reference**: Ants are known to "farm" aphids by protecting them from predators and moving them to optimal feeding locations. In return, the aphids secrete honeydew, a sugary substance that ants consume. This symbiotic relationship is often described as "farming" in entomology. The wordplay here is subtle but relies on the well-documented ecological behavior of ants, making "ANT" the precise and logical answer. No puns or complex wordplay are involved—just a straightforward reference to a natural phenomenon.