The effect of barley yellow dwarf virus on honeydew production by the cereal aphids Sitobion avenae and Metopolophium dirhodum

Individual S. avenae and M. dirhodum excreted significantly fewer droplets of honeydew on plants infected with BYDV than on healthy plants. S. avenae excreted less honeydew on the ears than on the leaves of wheat. M. dirhodum excreted less than S. avenae on the leaves. The size of honeydew droplets increased with the age of aphids but was not affected by BYDV infection. Possible reasons for the observed effects of BYDV on honeydew excretion are discussed.