EFFECT OF EGG AGE, STORAGE-TEMPERATURE, AND STORAGE DURATION OIL EGG HATCH OF DIABROTICA-UNDECIMPUNCTATA-HOWARDI (COLEOPTERA, CHRYSOMELIDAE)

The effect of egg age and storage temperature and duration on the perc entage of hatch and time to 50% hatch for eggs of Diabrotica undecimpu nctata howardi Barber, southern corn rootworm, was determined by expos ing 1-, 3-, and 5-d-old eggs at 6 temperatures from 0 to 15 degrees C for durations of 1-6 wk. Egg age, storage temperature, storage duratio n, and their interactions had a significant influence on percentage of egg hatch and time to 50% hatch. Regression models were developed to allow prediction of percentage of hatch and time to 50% hatch. Eightee n treatment combinations maintained egg viability > 94%. Percentage of hatch and time to 50% hatch were optimized with 1-d-old eggs incubate d at 15 degrees C for 3 wk.