The use of Honeydew (Hemiptera) by birds in a protected area of Atlantic Forest in the south of the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Honeydew is a carbohydrate solution produced and secreted by scale insects (Hemiptera), which feed on the phloem of host plants, removing nitrogen compounds for protein synthesis. Honeydew-producing scale insects were observed infesting Inga trees in a protected area of Atlantic Rainforest, south of the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil (30-1000m a.s.l.). From September 2016 to June 2017, we performed 202 hours of observation on eight focal trees. We recorded 19 bird species feeding on honeydew, totaling 1191 visits. Most visits occurred in the morning (6am to 8am) and in September, with the most recorded species being Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola); Golden-chevroned Tanager (Thraupis ornata) and Violet-capped Woodnymph (Thalurania glaucopis). Thraupis ornatawas the species that most actively defended the resource, with 38 records of agonistic behaviors. Our results indicate that there is a spatial segregation in honeydew consumption by birds, withThalurania glaucopis feeding mainly on the trunk and other species in the peripheral region of the trees. This study suggests that honeydew can be an important component in the diet of birds in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, particularly in periods of shortage of flowers and fruits.