Diet and development in conoderus exsul and agrypnus variabilis (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

Abstract

When field-collected larvae of Conoderus exsul and Agrypnus variabilis were maintained in the laboratory on insect (Inopus rubriceps) larvae, plant (germinating wheat seeds), or mixed (both larvae and seeds) diets, mortality was higher and growth rate lower (in A. variabilis) on the insect diet than the other diets. Head capsule measurements indicated at least five larval instars in C. exsul. © The Royal Society of New Zealand 1993.