Research Information System
Journal of Hymenoptera Research, no.99, pp.59-66, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Honeydew is a sugary excretion produced by sap-feeding hemipterans, such as scale insects and aphids. It has been regarded predominantly as a food resource for predators and omnivores insects. Its potential role as a food source for pollinators, particularly bumble bees, remains underexplored. This study investigates the foraging of Bombus terrestris (L.) on honeydew secreted by Sphaerolecanium prunastri on Prunus cerasifera in a semi-natural environment. Field observations revealed that B. terrestris workers actively forage on honeydew. These findings indicate that B. terrestris is capable of utilizing honeydew as an alternative foraging resource. Additionally, our results suggest species-specific preferences for honeydew among bumble bee species, underscoring the complexity of plant-insect interactions. This is the first report of interaction between B. terrestris and S. prunastri, including the sugar composition of the honeydew and the associated foraging behavior. Understanding how pollinators adapt to alternative food sources like honeydew is essential for predicting their ecological resilience and guiding effective conservation strategies.