Nectar-Feeding by Female Mosquitoes and its Relation to Follicular Development and Parity

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
An anthrone reagent was used to detect fructose in 2817 feral Aedes, Culex, Coquillettidia, and Psorophora females. Prior to fructose analyses, parity and devdopmental stages of terminal follicular development were determined. A relatively high incidence of nectar-feeding was found in Ae. contator (77%) and Cq. perturbans (57%). Of the 13 species examined, the lowest incidence (22%) of nectar-feeding was recorded for both Ae. stimulans and Cx. pipiens. Variation in monthly percentages of fructose-positive females was apparent in most species, but a gradual increase in nectar-feeding rates was noted for parous Ae. canacknsis, Ae. sollicitans, and Ae. stimulans from May to August. Fructose was found in both resting females and those seeking a blood meal, regardless of their age. Proportionately more females with stage I follicles contained fructose than did individuals with follicles containing yolk (stages I–II or II). Nectar-feeding among woodland and salt marsh mosquitoes was widespread in both nulliparous and parous flies. Also, females feed on nectar in all phases of the gonotrophic cycle.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: