The Pattern of Movements of Adults of the Northern Corn Rootworm Inside and Outside of Corn Fields1

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Abstract
The digestive tracts and ovaries of Diabrotica longicornis Say collected periodically inside and outside of corn fields were examined. Based on the type of pollen present in the digestive tract and the stage of ovarian development, the movements of beetles into and out of corn fields and the relationship of such movements to oviposition were studied. The results suggest a pattern of movement as follows: (a) During the early portion of the season, while corn pollen was fresh, the beetles fed mainly within the corn fields. (b) When food became scarce within the corn field in which beetles emerged, they began to disperse. They were found in corn fields with younger plants, or in fields of other crops in bloom. During this random dispersal they may also have stopped, at least momentarily, in corn fields where food was no longer available. (c) Those females which contained sufficient numbers of ripe eggs were attracted to the corn field specifically for oviposition. The food factor was not crucial at this point. The nature of the factors responsible for this attraction is not known. (d) Since the oviposition period of a given female lasted for 3 weeks, the beetles probably engaged in feeding excursions out of corn fields interspersed with oviposition trips back to the corn fields. (e) After oviposition was completed, the females became less active and remained in the corn field.

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