How much does a drop of sugar solution benefit a hatchling of Chrysoperla pallida (Neuroptera Chrysopidae)?

Although primarily predaceous, chrysopid larvae are well known to also use honeydew, floral and extrafloral nectar, and other plant-based sugary nutrients as food. However, the extent to which the three larval stages ingest sugary liquids and the value of this sugar-feeding to subsequent survival and development (if any) have not been quantified. Here, our first experiment examines how much sugary liquid is ingested when it is offered to newly hatched or newly moulted larvae of Chrysoperla pallida. After the intake of a fructose solution, the average weight of hatchlings was almost tripled and that of freshly moulted larvae was increased by 57% (II instar) and 26% (III instar). The second experiment was designed to identify and examine the effects of larval ingestion of fructose liquid on subsequent development and survival. In this experiment, each larva was subjected to a 24hour period of a dietary treatment three times during its development: once soon after hatching and twice again, soon after each of the two larval moults. The dietary treatments were: 1) no provision - without food or water; 2) water only; 3) fructose solution only; 4) mealworm only; 5) mealworm, with water; 6) mealworm, with fructose solution. During the periods between treatments, the larvae were fed mealworms. This experiment