Which insect excretes honeydew?

Which insect excretes honeydew?

• A. Aphids
• B. Scale insects
• C. Whiteflies
• D. Caterpillars

Answer: (B)

Honeydew is the sugary waste that many sap-sucking insects excrete as they feed on plant fluids. Scale insects feed on plant sap and continuously release this honeydew, which often coats leaves and stems. That sticky residue can attract ants and foster sooty mold, signaling a pest problem on the plant or turf. Caterpillars, in contrast, are chewing feeders and produce frass rather than honeydew. While aphids and whiteflies also secrete honeydew, scale insects are a classic and well-known source of this sticky excretion in many turf scenarios.

Honeydew is the sugary waste that many sap-sucking insects excrete as they feed on plant fluids. Scale insects feed on plant sap and continuously release this honeydew, which often coats leaves and stems. That sticky residue can attract ants and foster sooty mold, signaling a pest problem on the plant or turf. Caterpillars, in contrast, are chewing feeders and produce frass rather than honeydew. While aphids and whiteflies also secrete honeydew, scale insects are a classic and well-known source of this sticky excretion in many turf scenarios.