Protandry of Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Beetle Emergence Partially Due to Earlier Egg Hatch of Males

• DOI: 10.2317/17-14.1
• Publication Date: 2018-03-21T19:02:24Z
• Authors: Dalton C. Ludwick; Anthony Zukoff; Matt Higdon; Bruce E. Hibbard
• Keywords: Western corn rootworm

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera LeConte, exhibits protandry. contribution of pre-hatch development to protandry in rootworm was previously investigated with a small set data from one population. To verify the protandry, more than 10,000 larvae seven wild-type populations collected across Corn Belt were evaluated. Larvae placed into containers on each day egg hatch for population and allowed develop adults. Duration these ranged 7 19 days percent insects surviving adulthood varying between 13 52%. For first 25% hatch, significantly males emerge. Pre-hatch does contribute but overall is likely less post-hatch development.