Oviposition site and food preference of the green June beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).
Relative preferences of green June beetle, Cotinis nitida (L.), adults and grubs for different organic fertilizers were determined in field and laboratory choice experiments. Six organic fertilizer treatments (low rate of broiler litter, high rate of broiler litter, cow manure, hay, Milorganite, or no fertilizer [the control]) were applied to sandy-loam soil and exposed to adults in 2.7 by 3.7 by 2.4-m screen cages. More eggs and larvae were found in pots treated with broiler litter (43%), cow manure (23%), and hay (30%) than in pots treated with Milorganite (4%) or no fertilizer (0%). Orientation preferences of third-instar grubs were tested in Y-tube and satellite olfactometers. Of the five treatments (broiler litter, cow manure, hay, Milorganite, and a blank control), preference was greatest for broiler litter and cow manure, but all organic fertilizer treatments were generally preferred over the blank control. These experiments suggest that use of organic fertilizers may result in higher densities of green June beetle grubs both by attracting the ovipositing females, and by acting as a food attractant for the mobile larvae.
Brandhorst-Hubbard
J L
JL
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University, AL 36849-5413, USA.
Flanders
K L
KL
Appel
A G
AG
D000818:Animals; D001070:Appetitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D010058:Oviposition / Q000502:physiology*