Environmental Entomology (1983) 12, 1529-1531

P.F. Lummus, J.C. Smith and N.L. Powell (1983)
Soil moisture and texture effects on survival of immature southern corn rootworms, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Environmental Entomology 12 (5), 1529-1531
Abstract: Southern corn rootworm larvae and pupae survived best in a controlled soil environment with plant-available water (PAW) ranging from 70 to 100%. Survivability was significantly inferior at the 45 to 55% or 20 to 30% PAW range. Percent clay in southeastern Virginia soils had a less dramatic but significant effect on survivability with the highest clay content soils allowing the best survival. Abrasiveness of soils for peanut production in southeastern Virginia was not believed to be important in immature rootworm survival, but particle size as related to its water holding capacity was important.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Diabrotica undecimpunctata	Groundnut/peanut (Arachis hypogaea)	U.S.A. (NE)