Fennel Aphid Continuum

There is a massive population of aphids on the new foliage of the foeniculum vulgarum; and a few stragglers up on a dried stem. One young assassin bug has the field to itself for the time being until other predators show up to mow down the juicy aphid crop. This one had an aphid stuck to the sticky stuff and hairs on its foreleg.

If an aphid is basically a pump for plant juices, does eating aphids make you carnivore, herbivore or omnivore? I don't get federal funding for my garden activities, but an aphid eater of any persuasion is still welcome to come work in my yard. If you don't know what I am talking about in regards to federal funding, persuasions and employment, you may have missed this story on NPR.