‘Feeding of Infected Insects.

In the earlier experiments with the incubator, raisins, dates, bananas, etc., were provided for the insects to feed upon [16-17] in the intervals between meals. It was soon found, as noted by numerous other workers, that many of the mosquitoes so fed developed an infection with bacteria and moulds in their gut and tissues. This usually resulted in a heavy death rate. [note: ‘Although no comparative experiments have been made, we formed the impression that such accidents were more frequent among insects stored in incubators than among those kept in large rooms, i.e. where there was a free circulation of air. De Buck and Swellengrebel (1935) have reported very good results with insects fed entirely on sugar-water and stored in a warm room.’]

It was also found that insects which had been allowed to feed on such a diet showed less inclination to take a blood meal subsequently than did insects which had been fed on blood only (Darling, 1910; James and Shute, 1926).' (16-17)