LIVE MASS, WATER-CONTENT, NITROGEN AND MINERAL LEVELS IN SOME INSECTS FROM SOUTH-CENTRAL LOWER MICHIGAN

1. Live and dry mass, water content, nitrogen, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and total iron concentrations are reported (or are available from the authors or the Faculty/Staff Collection of The University of Michigan-Flint Library) for members of 16 orders (360 species) of mostly adult, flying insects from south-central lower Michigan. 2. Compared to published nutritional requirements (when meeting caloric requirements) for growth and reproduction in birds and mammals, insects are excellent sources of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium, highly variable sources of sodium and iron, and, very rarely, adequate calcium sources. 3. Elemental composition of some insects differs by size, sex, season and after culling.