Nectar Sugars and Caloric Reserves in Natural Populations of Aedes canadensis and Aedes stimulans (Diptera: Culicidae)

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Abstract
Aedes canadensis and Aedes stimulans adults probed the flowers of seven plant species in woodlands. Of the 217 males and females collected, 159 (73.3%) were sighted during 1700 to 1930 h (EDT). An anthrone reagent detected fructose or sucrose in newly emerged adults (53.2∼ of 124 A. canadensis , 45.1% of 142 A. stimulans ) and in blood-seeking females (50.1% of 515 A. canadensis , 49.3% of 600 A. stimulans) collected during diurnal and crepuscular periods (0930 to 1930 h). Sugar positivity rates peaked for both species (53.7 to 63.6%) during 1700 to 1930 h, a time when the majority of adults was observed on blossoms. Average amounts of total available energy reserves, determined by bichromate and spectrophotometric assays, were greater in blood-seeking A . stimulans females (mean range = 6.2−11.4 cal per female) than in both sexes ≤ 12 h old (mean = 0.8−2.7 cal per insect). The presence of fructose or sucrose in newly emerged males and females reinforces the importance of these sugars for insect survival during early adulthood.