Oviposition of the Adult Cupreous Chafer, Anomala cuprea HOPE (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), at Different Water Contents of the Ovipositing Medium under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

The effects of varying water contents in sawdust serving as ovipositing medium on the oviposition factors of the cupreous chafer, Anomala cuprea, were investigated at 25°C and 16L-8D photoregime under laboratory conditions. the proportions of sawdust to water were adjusted to 1:0.5, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 by weight. the optimum condition for maximum lifetime fecundity, short preoviposition period, long oviposition period and long adult longevity for both male and female adults was 1:2. A significant correlation between lifetime fecundity and longevity of the females was observed at 1:0.5 and 1:1 and also between lifetime fecundity and oviposition period at 1:1 and 1:3. Lifetime fecundity was not correlated with preoviposition period at any of the water contents tested. Females were capable of egg laying until their death, but the oviposition time interval could not be ascertained at different water contents. Hatchability of the eggs laid at each water content was more than 90% except at 1:0.5. There was no significant difference in the daily food consumption by adults at different water contents. Moreover, the amount of food consumed each day was more or less uniform throughout the lifetime and the insects were capable of feeding until death irrespective of water content in the sawdust.