Effect of soil factors on the emergence and eclosion of Gephyraulus lycantha

The eclosion biological characteristics of Gephyraulus lycantha and effects of different soil factors on its emergence and eclosion were researched, with the aim of providing theoretical guidance for effective control of this pest. Under indoor simulation conditions, different soil moisture conditions (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%), soil matrixes(sandy soil, loam soil, sandy loam soil), soil bulk densities (1.0 g/cm³, 1.2 g/cm³, 1.4 g/cm³) and soil depths (5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm) were set to investigate the eclosion rate and daily eclosion of fully-grown larvae of G. lycantha. The results showed that G. lycantha completed its pupal development in situ in the soil, and completed eclosion after emerging from the soil surface in the late pupa form. Different soil factors significantly affected the emergence and eclosion of G. lycantha. When the soil moisture content was 15%, the highest rate of G. lycantha eclosion was 13.75%. Under this condition, sandy loam soil was most suitable for emergence and eclosion of G. lycantha. could emerge normally only under the bulk density of 1.0 g/cm³, and could not emerge over 1.2 g/cm³. The emergence rate of G. lycantha at a soil depth of 5 cm was significantly higher than that of other soil depth treatments. This study indicated that the most suitable conditions for the emergence and eclosion of G. lycantha were soil moisture content of 15%, soil matrix of sandy loam, soil bulk density of 1.0 g/cm³, and soil depth of 5 cm.