Feeding preference and oviposition sites of adult grass grub beetles (Costelytra zealandica(White)) on pasture plants

摘要

During the flight season male and female beetles of Costelytra zealandica (White) were introduced to swards of common pasture grasses, clovers, weeds, radish (Raphanus sativus), barley Hordeum sativum), and bare ground which had been established in field soil in small pots. The number of beetles on the foliage and, later, the number of eggs laid were counted. The largest numbers of beetles were consistently observed on foliage of radish, Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and the smallest number of beetles were observed on paspalum (P. dilatatum) and bare ground. There were no significant differences in egg counts between treatments.