title: Stable isotope analysis of larval mosquito diets in agricultural wetlands in the coastal plain of Georgia, U.S.A.
abstract: Previous studies have used C and N isotope ratios to investigate the use of different food resources such as plant and animal detritus by container-breeding mosquitoes. This study is the first to report on the potential food resources assimilated by larval mosquitoes in agricultural and reference wetlands. Larval mosquitoes (Diptera: Culcidae) were sampled, along with their potential food resources, from agricultural and reference wetland habitats throughout a seasonal hydroperiod. IsoSource mixing model results indicated that food resources had greater δ(15) N isotope values in agricultural wetlands compared with cypress-gum swamps. In February, Aedes vexans (Meigen) and Culex territans Walker larvae fed primarily on lower quality food resources (coarse particulate organic matter and sediment) based on C:N. In contrast, higher quality food resources (fine particulate organic matter) were utilized by Anopheles spp. throughout the study and by Psorophora columbiae (Dyer and Knab) in May. This research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the food resources available and assimilated by larval mosquitoes in agricultural wetlands.
authors.affiliation: Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, 3988 Jones Center Drive, Newton, GA 39870, U.S.A.; Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 East Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, U.S.A.. gina.botello.young@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gina Botello
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Golladay
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Covich
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blackmore
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D009033:Culicidae / Q000502:physiology*; D007553:Isotope Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology*; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D014481:United States; D053833:Wetlands
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes
keywords: 13C; 15N; Coastal Plain; Larval mosquitoes; agricultural wetlands; carbon; larval mosquito food resources; nitrogen