Honeydew analysis for detecting phloem transport of plant natural products : Implications for host-plant resistance to sap-sucking insects.

Analysis of honeydew excreted by various sap-sucking insects indicated the presence of certain plant secondary constituents in the phloem of their host plants. Honeydew excreted by mealybugs (Pseudococcus longispinus), living onCastanospermum australe, contained the indolizidine alkaloid castanospermine, a potent β-glucosidase inhibitor. Similarly, honeydew from green peach aphids (Myzus persicae), feeding onSenecio vulgaris flower buds, contained the pyrrolizidine alkaloid senecionine, itsN-oxide, and hydrolytic products including retronecine. Cardenolides were detected in the honeydew of oleander aphids (Aphis nerii) feeding on oleander (Nerium oleander), indicating that these compounds are translocated in the phloem. On the other hand, honeydew from greenbugs (Schizaphis graminum), feeding on barley, lacked gramine or related indole metabolites. Similarly MBOA, the breakdown product of DIMBOA, was not detected in the honeydew of greenbugs living on DIMBOA-containing wheat.