THE REARING AND BIOLOGY OF GLISCHROCHILUS QUADRISIGNATUS (COLEOPTERA: NITIDULIDAE) IN THE LABORATORY

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Abstract
A study on techniques for rearing Glischrochilus quadrisignatus (Say) in the laboratory showed that provision of adequate moisture and control of fungal diseases were essential. Most field-collected adult females oviposited regardless of when the collections were made, but there were large variations in the preoviposition periods. Hibernating beetles collected in the spring had a much shorter preoviposition period than beetles collected in the autumn and early winter. The high viability of eggs laid by overwintering females kept separate from males indicated that the beetles mated in the fall. Three consecutive generations occurred when beetles were reared in crocks supplied with corn and tomatoes in a greenhouse. At 21°C, the incubation period for eggs averaged 4.1 days, the larval period 21–22 days, and the pupation period 11.8 days. Newly developed adults remained in the soil for an average of 11.2 days before emerging.