Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, sent words of encouragement or otherwise supported us during fall pledge week. You make Montana Public Radio possible!

Thanks to your generosity, we've raised $382,000 toward our $400,000 fall fundraising goal! We could not do this work without you and we are deeply grateful for your support.

What can turn tree sap into...honeydew?

Dmitri Don

"Fieldnotes," July 28th & 29, 2013: "Aphids," by John McCutcheon (read by Allison de Jong).  http://www.montananaturalist.org/

"Phloem sap is under positive pressure, so all an aphid has to do is stick its piercing mouthpart into the right part of the plant, and the sap will start flowing. This process is similar to tapping a pressurized keg of beer. Cicadas, on the other hand, eat only xylem sap, which is the sap that comes up from the roots... under negative pressure. This process is similar to sucking a thick milkshake through a straw."

Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information