What is honeydew?
Q: What is honeydew?
A: Honeydew is a sticky liquid sugar that aphids and some scale insects make when they eat plant sap.
Q: How is honeydew made?
A: In order to eat plant sap, an aphid or scale insect pushes its mouth parts into the plant. The pressure inside the plant pushes the sap into the insect, and sometimes the sap is forced out of the rear of the insect, which is how honeydew is made.
Q: What problems can honeydew cause for plants?
A: Honeydew on plants can cause sooty mould, which appears as white powder on the plant.
Q: What insects collect honeydew?
A: Some insects, such as some wasps and bees, collect honeydew.
Q: What is honeydew honey?
A: Honeydew honey is a dark, strong honey made by some honey bees using honeydew.
Q: Where is honeydew honey valuable?
A: Honeydew honey is valuable in parts of Europe and Asia.
Q: How do ants and aphids interact regarding honeydew?
A: Ants collect honeydew from aphids, often directly from the aphids themselves. This helps the aphids because the ants chase predators, such as lady beetles, away from them.
