George Shirley wrote:

I've never seen okra harmed by ants, generally they're after aphids, and
other tiny insects. We have them all the time and just tap the okra with
a stick to dislodge them while we cut the pods. That's so we won't get bit.


IIRC, ants sometimes "farm" aphids and other insects that create a
sweet product the ants can eat. I wouldn't automatically view the
ants as friends.