Effect of soil moisture on Plectris aliena (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) oviposition

Authors

  • Nancy L. Brill AgroFresh, Inc., 128 Federal Walk Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348, USA
  • Rick L. Brandenburg North Carolina State University, Department of Entomology, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, USA
  • Mark R. Abney University of Georgia, Department of Entomology, Tifton, Georgia 31793, USA

Keywords:

invasive, soil pest, North Carolina

Abstract

The effect of 3 soil moisture regimes (dry, normal, and wet) on oviposition was studied for the invasive soil pest Plectris aliena Chapin (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in North Carolina agroecosystems. In laboratory cages, there was a significant increase of 20 more eggs deposited by females in wet soil compared with the dry soil (2% moisture) treatment. When the beetles were tested under field conditions, there were no significant differences in oviposition.

 

Sumario

Se estudió el efecto de 3 regímenes de humedad del suelo (seco, normal y húmedo) sobre la oviposición de la plaga invasora del suelo, Plectris aliena Chapin (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) en los agroecosistemas de Carolina del Norte. En las jaulas de laboratorio, hubo un aumento significativo de 20 o más huevos depositados por hembra en el suelo húmedo en comparación con el tratamiento del suelo seco (2% de humedad). Cuando los escarabajos fueron probados bajo condiciones de campo, no hubo diferencias significativas en la oviposición.

 

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Author Biography

Nancy L. Brill, AgroFresh, Inc., 128 Federal Walk Kennett Square, Pennsylvania 19348, USA

Technical Account Manager

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Published

2016-06-07

Issue

Vol. 99, No. 3 (September 2016)

Section

Scientific Notes

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