Phytochemicals found in the phloem sap that vary between leaves of different developmental stages, such as amino acids and phenolic glycosides, are important cues for the aphid C. populicola feeding on Eastern Cottonwood. However, the phytochemicals studied did not vary qualitatively or quantitatively in the honeydew of aphids between leaves of different developmental stages. Thus, phytochemical cues found in phloem which vary with leaf developmental stage are not transmitted to the third trophic level. However, aphids that feed on mature leaves produce more honeydew than those feeding on other leaf stages. Thus, ants tending aphids may respond to increases in honeydew quantity.
Species 1: Homoptera Aphididae Chaitophorous populicola
Species 2: Hymenoptera Formicidae Camponotus spp
Keywords: mutualism, honeydew
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