Soil moisture and texture effects of survival of immature southern corn rootworms, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) [Pest of peanuts in southeastern Virginia]

Southern corn rootworm larvae and pupae survived best in a controlled soil environment with plant-available water (PAW) ranging from 70 to 100%. Survivability was significantly inferior at the 45 to 55% or 20 to 30% PAW range. Percent clay in southeastern Virginia soils had a less dramatic but significant effect on survivability with the highest clay content soils allowing the best survival. Abrasiveness of soils for peanut production in southeastern Virginia was not believed to be important in immature rootworm survival, but particle size as related to its water holding capacity was important.