Can artificial sweetener trick insects?

[JVS]

The thread about the candy scented cologne and the assertion that he would be stung by bees got me thinking.

If you dump pop on the ground during a summer day it won't take long before it attracts insects, ants especially seem to like it and will make a line for it, presumably to carry back sugar. What I'm wondering is if I spill diet pop, will the ants and insects be interested in it, and if so will they detect that it lacks the caloric sustenance that they need and abandoned their sweet syrupy find?

[mrboba1]

1. I haven't noticed the ants invading my house

to be attracted to the Splenda...

:shrug:

[fob]

2. Pop? I'm glad to see it labled correctly! Are you from Michigan?

I'll try it this weekend with diet coke and report back my results.

[JVS]

4. I'm from Pittsburgh. Dad is from Minnesota, mom from Detroit

Pop is said in all three locations.

[fob]

9. Aha! Michigan connection - Confirmed!

Your parents raised you well. :evilgrin:

[tkulesa]

5. Pop

Some people in Buffalo (where I went to college) call it Pop. But if someone asks you for a pop back where I grew up, they're more likely asking for sex than soda.

I always get a kick out being asking for a pop in public.

[JVS]

6. It is a west of the appalachian mtns thing

[fob]

10. When I first got out to Cali and asked for a pop, the girl behind

the counter said, "Coffee?". :eyes:

Don't even get me started on the day I took the empties to the local 7-11 for my 10 cents per can back.

[catzies]

3. I've seen ants avoid Sweet N Low spilled on a counter

I think you are on to something.

Bees would be attracted to scent, but ants would be attracted to taste? :shrug:

[sui generis]

8. actually insects avoid dry sugar too

test your theory -- try it moistened.

[pocket]

7. Splenda, maybe

since it is subtly-altered sugar