I know what a ladybug larvae looks like - this isn’t quite it? But I don’t know what else it could look like, or be similar too. It seems a bit too spiky!
The ants. Ants tending galls on branch of red oak
About 8mm - 9mm long
I thought it was interesting that this ant and the ants I entered in another observation (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/86365200) were in exactly the same place. I didn't see them interacting but I suspect they were. I thought they might just be color morphs of the same species.
Executing a slave raid in the late afternoon, early evening. Identification provided by James Trager who wrote the most recent revision of the genus.
On large woody vines climbing river birch.
McConnell Springs.
McConnell Springs.