Adult Western Corn Rootworms: Oviposition, Fecundity, and Longevity in the Laboratory123

In the laboratory, adults of Diabrotica virgifera LeConte had a mean preoviposition period of 14.3 days, a mean longevity of 94.8 days, and a mean fecundity of 1023 eggs per female (or 10.4 eggs per female per day). The pattern of egg laying indicated that oviposition began at a high level, peaked after about 10–15 days, and then slowly declined. Female beetles apparently were able to lay viable eggs for at least 60 days after mating.