Studies on production and consumption of honeydew in hedges of Upper Frankonia
1992
Novak, H. (Bayreuth Univ. (Germany). Lehrstuhl Tieroekologie 1)
In a one-year study, the production of honeydew in hedges of Upper Frankonia and its utilization by food-searching insects were investigated. The phloemfeeding fauna and its seasonal development on hedgeshrubs were assessed by means of the 'beating method'. Out of the 25 sap-sucking species recorded on the shrubs typical for hedges, the Psyllidae on hawthorn (Crataegus spec.) and the Aphididae on blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) were most abundant during the period of investigation producing considerable amounts of honeydew. On most hedgeplants honeydew production reached a maximum in spring with a sharp decline in summer and a second but smaller peak in autumn. In contrast, the development of the aphids on blackthorn and oak persisted throughout the summer and therefore there was a continous honeydew supply for food-searching insect species in the hedges during the season. On blackthorn a total of 139 insect species were recorded taking up honeydew from the plant's surface. In species number as well as in individual number the syrphids were the most frequent honeydew visitors. Especially Episyrphus balteatus (Deg.) was observed to feed in great numbers on the excretions of aphids
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