Factors influencing the burrowing behaviour of adult Leucopholis lepidophora Blanchard (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) under laboratory conditions

The present study investigates the burrowing behaviour of the arecanut white grub, Leucopholis lepidophora was conducted in the laboratory. Mated adult female beetles were observed to burrow deeper than male and virgin female beetles. Male, virgin female, and mated female burrows were significantly deeper in wet soil compared to dry soil. Sandy loam soil recorded a lower percentage of beetles on the soil surface at 210 minutes when compared to 2 minutes. But in case of gravel soil, a higher percentage of beetles remained on the surface at 210 minutes compared to at 2 minutes, where no beetle was burrowed into to soil. The various soil characteristics, including soil texture and moisture, play a major role in the burrowing behaviour of adult beetles.