Oviposition Preferences of Western Corn Rootworms for Various Soil Surface Conditions12

Abstract
Oviposition preferences of Diabrotica virgifera LeConte were studied in the laboratory to discover reasons for areas of intense infestation and damage in corn fields. The beetles preferred sites composed of relatively large soil particles, preferred soil cracks to large soil aggregates, and moist soil. Clumps of grass were preferred 10 either cornstalks or surface trash. Variability of soil moisture, smoothness of the soil surface, ground cover, and soil cracking may combine 10 influence oviposition pattern in a field.

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