Differences in energy metabolism and adult desiccation resistance among three Aedes (Stegomyia) species (Diptera: Culicidae) from South Sulawesi, Indonesia

To determine the mechanisms of adult desiccation resistance of Aedes (Stegomyia) species, we estimated the carbohydrate and lipid contents of newly emerged adult mosquitoes from South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Inter- and intraspecific differences in glycogen and free fatty acid accumulation were found in Aedes aegypti (L.), Ae. albopictus (Skuse), and Ae. paullusi (Stone & Farmer). High glycogen content was determined for both sexes in all Ae. aegypti strains and in the Ujung Pandang strain of Ae. albopictus. There were no differences among species in either trehalose or sorbitol content. A trend similar to glycogen was seen for lipid content, especially the free fatty acids of neutral lipids. These energy reserves of adult mosquitoes correlated with adult desiccation survival time at 90% RH calculated by Mogi et al. (1996). In both sexes, survival time was longer in strains with high glycogen and free fatty acid content, and low trehalose content. Ae aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. paullusi are species with high, intermediate, and low levels of glycogen and free fatty acids, respectively. However, longevity of these species under desiccation conditions is associated strongly with glycogen-trehalose conversion, and free fatty acid accumulation.