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<p>For insects that oviposit underground, the depth at which eggs are deposited is a critical factor for the survival of their progeny, as the subterranean environment varies significantly with depth. In this study, we investigated how mated females of the white grub beetle <i>Dasylepida ishigakiensis</i>, a serious pest of sugarcane, determine the depth at which they stay for laying their eggs. First, we released mated females into 100- or 200-cm-long tubes filled with soil and found that they could burrow up to 200&#xa0;cm deep within two days—much deeper than the typical depths observed in the field. The result also indicates that female beetles burrow not only on the day of mating but also on the following day. Next, we assessed whether they use cues from larval food sources to determine their location, by burying sugarcane roots in the soil. However, the females did not stay near the roots. When the lower portion of the soil in the tube was compacted, the females stayed in the upper layer of the compacted soil. Females that had been excavated from a depth greater than 25&#xa0;cm and re-released in the tube did not burrow as deeply as those without prior burrowing experience. This effect of experience disappeared when the females were left on the ground for one day after excavation. Based on our findings and previous research, we hypothesized that mated females of this beetle would continue to burrow until they encounter a hard soil layer, where they would then stay to lay their eggs.</p>

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Oviposition-depth selection in a soil-dwelling beetle Dasylepida ishigakiensis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月27日

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  • Ken-ichi Harano,
  • Seiji Tanaka,
  • Nao Fujiwara-Tsujii,
  • Hiroe Yasui,
  • Sadao Wakamura,
  • Atsushi Nagayama,
  • Norio Arakaki

摘要

For insects that oviposit underground, the depth at which eggs are deposited is a critical factor for the survival of their progeny, as the subterranean environment varies significantly with depth. In this study, we investigated how mated females of the white grub beetle Dasylepida ishigakiensis, a serious pest of sugarcane, determine the depth at which they stay for laying their eggs. First, we released mated females into 100- or 200-cm-long tubes filled with soil and found that they could burrow up to 200 cm deep within two days—much deeper than the typical depths observed in the field. The result also indicates that female beetles burrow not only on the day of mating but also on the following day. Next, we assessed whether they use cues from larval food sources to determine their location, by burying sugarcane roots in the soil. However, the females did not stay near the roots. When the lower portion of the soil in the tube was compacted, the females stayed in the upper layer of the compacted soil. Females that had been excavated from a depth greater than 25 cm and re-released in the tube did not burrow as deeply as those without prior burrowing experience. This effect of experience disappeared when the females were left on the ground for one day after excavation. Based on our findings and previous research, we hypothesized that mated females of this beetle would continue to burrow until they encounter a hard soil layer, where they would then stay to lay their eggs.