Improved Method for Rearing Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)1

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Abstract
The described rearing method approximates the natural environment for larvae of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte more closely than do previous methods: eggs are in close proximity to corn roots when they hatch, neonate larvae are not handled, and larvae are reared in soil. In addition, the method is less labor-intensive. Our quality-control samples indicate a mean (±SD) return of 53.0% ±5.0 from eggs to adults and a mean return of 72.7% ± 10.2 from neonate larvae to adults. Adult females have a mean head-capsule width of 1.22 mm ± 0.4. Moreover, our new method for handling adults, both before and during mating, has resulted in a significant improvement in mating; percentage of mated females increased from a mean of 66 to a mean of 95%.