Simultaneous field comparison of evening temporal distributions of nectar and blood feeding by Aedes vexans and Ae. trivittatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Ohio.

Nectar- and blood-feeding time distributions of Aedes vexans (Meigen) and Aedes trivittatus (Coquillett) were determined from collections of mosquitoes attempting to feed on flowers and human bait during six nights in an Ohio field. Distributions of nectar and blood feeding were different in Ae. vexans on three of five nights when analyses were possible, and they were different in pooled Ae. trivittatus data. Higher proportions of blood feeders appeared in earlier time intervals, but both nectar and blood feeding had broadly overlapping peaks and distributions. These results suggest that the nectar- and blood-feeding rhythms are probably in phase in Ae. vexans females, and that possibly the earlier onset of blood feeding reflects a strategy taking advantage of blood when it is available. Male Ae. vexans had later peak nectar-feeding times than females. Nectar feeding in males may be delayed by mating activity early in the activity period.