Abstract
NUMEROUS analyses have been reported concerning the chemical composition of honeydew produced by many homopterous insects, especially members of the family Aphididae. Such compounds as fructose, glucose, sucrose and free amino-acids seem to be universally present in honeydew. Various other mono-, di-, and oligo-saccharides are occasionally found in honeydew. Proteins are apparently absent, although peptides have been reported. Miscellaneous compounds found in honeydew include several organic acids, inorganic ions, sugar alcohols and auxins, such as indolyl-3-acetic acid1. With one exception2, no reports have been located making reference to the presence of lipid material in honeydew, although it is well known that certain lipids (for example, sterols) are of great physiological importance to insects.
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References
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STRONG, F. Detection of Lipids in the Honeydew of an Aphid. Nature 205, 1242 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/2051242a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2051242a0
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