Abstract: The effect of nourishment and humidity on the development and reproduction of Holotrichia oblita was studied.The result suggested that the fecundity of H. oblita fed on elm leaves was the highest ( 107. 1 eggs per female), the next was that on Chinese white poplar, the last was that on corn and silver chain leaves.The larva had a preference for potatoes to peanuts and sweet potatoes, and those fed on potatoes had highest survival rate and their weight was signif-i cantly more than those fed on peanuts and sweet potatoes. Soil humidity had great effect on the hatching of eggs; the hatching rate was up to 75. 6% when soil humidity was 18% and too dry or humid condition was unfavorable to the hatch. Eggs bred on filter paper with 15. 7 mg/ cm2 water in dark place had hatching rate of 77. 7%. This method of breeding eggs was easy, reducing the chance of eggs to be infected by pathogen microbes or damaged by soil grains. 15% ~ 18% soil humidity was most favorable to the development of larva, and the death rate would increase in higher or lower humidity than the scale. It was found that early larva had the highest death rate, especially in the first 30 days after hatching, which might result from the poor resistance of their thin body wall to dryness, humidity or physical damage.

Key words: Holotrichia oblita, Nourishment, Humidity, Development, Reproduct ion

CLC Number: 

• S33.5