Honeydew is the excretion of plant-feeding hemipterans and it is one of the most abundant source of carbohydrates for parasitoids and predators in agroecosystems. Being so abundant, honeydew mediates direct and indirect interactions that affect biological control. We describe these interactions and identify honeydew-management strategies to reduce pest pressure. First, the presence of nondamaging honeydew producers in cover crops and hedges increases the efficacy of parasitoids and predators. Second, breaking the mutualism between ants and honeydew-producing pests with alternative sugar sources promotes biological control of these pests. Third, we propose to explore honeydew volatiles to attract biological control agents and repel pests, as well as to induce plant defenses. Finally, we urge reducing the use of systemic pesticides that contaminate honeydew and negatively affect biological control agents that feed on it. Overall, we propose that honeydew management is integrated in pest management programs to contribute to sustainable agriculture.

蜜露是植物性半翅目动物的排泄物，是农业生态系统中寄生蜂和捕食者最丰富的碳水化合物来源之一。蜜露数量如此丰富，它介导影响生物控制的直接和间接相互作用。我们描述了这些相互作用并确定了减少害虫压力的蜜露管理策略。首先，覆盖作物和树篱中存在的非破坏性蜜露生产者提高了寄生蜂和捕食者的功效。其次，用替代糖源打破蚂蚁和产蜜露害虫之间的共生关系可以促进对这些害虫的生物防治。第三，我们建议探索蜜露挥发物来吸引生物防治剂和驱除害虫，以及诱导植物防御。最后，我们敦促减少使用内吸性杀虫剂，这些杀虫剂会污染蜜露并对以其为食的生物防治剂产生负面影响。总的来说，我们建议将蜜露管理纳入害虫管理计划中，以促进可持续农业。