A meta-analysis of trophobiotic interactions between ants and hemipteran honeydew producers: Influences on biological control and hemipteran host plants

Trophobiotic interactions occur when one partner provides food in exchange for some service or resource from the other partner.  This type of interaction is commonly seen between ants and various honeydew producers, such as aphids, mealybugs, scales, and leafhoppers.  These interactions often lead to an increase in the population size of the honeydew producer, and have been associated with the establishment of invasive ant species. Our meta-analysis will look at how these interactions impact natural enemies that target honeydew producer subjects of biological control.  It will also look at the impacts on the host plant of honeydew producers and sooty mold, a fungus often associated with excess honeydew.  Our meta-analysis will help us better understand the nature of these ant-honeydew producer interactions and the impacts they have on biological control and host plants.