INSECTS PRODUCING HONEYDEW EXPLOITED BY BEES IN GREECE

Abstract

More than 65 °% 1 of the honey in Greece derives from honeydew of insects. In a research work, started in 1977 and continued until now, 32 species of insects have been identified which produce honeydew exploited by bees. All these insects belong to the order Hemiptera : Homoptera and to the superfamilies Aphidoidea, Coccoidea, Psylloidea and Aleyroidea. Among these 32 species, the most important from the point of the honey production, are : The coccids Marchalina hellenica (Gen.) and Phy.sokermes hemicryphus Dalm. and the aphids Cinara con/ini.s (Koch.) Cinara pectinatae N6rdl. and Mindaru.s abietinus Koch.