On Jan 6, 2007, at 1:36 PM, Chris Slade wrote in response to a 
question: So how  does one differentiate honeydew from nectar? 
"Honeydew comes from the back end of an aphid, the front end of which 
is  sucking sap.  Nectar is produced from the nectaries of flowers."

    Honeydew is also produced by homopterans other than aphids, 
including many species of scale insects.  For example, in higher 
elevations in California's Central Valley, copious amounts of honeydew 
are sometimes produced in the fall months by scale insects on cedar 
trees.  The ground and all lower vegetation can become coated with a 
glaze of honeydew by that exudate.

    Those who move colonies into that region before honeydew secretion 
begins can get a fair crop of "honey."  Although some Europeans relish 
honeydew, it is not too good a feed for honey bees, consisting mostly 
of glucose.  (A rather ancient ABC and XYZ book I have includes the 
statement, "Don't feed glucose to bees, glucose is death to bees.")

    Moving colonies into an area already glazed over by honeydew, 
though, usually results in no crop.  The bees just don't seem to catch 
on that it is sugar by then.

												Adrian

Adrian M. Wenner		(805) 963-8508 (home office phone)
967 Garcia Road			[log in to unmask]
Santa Barbara, CA  93103	www.beesource.com/pov/wenner/index.htm

"Having one view prevail is harmful; it becomes a belief system, not 
science."
					Zaven Khachaturian — 2006

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