Food intake of 3rd instar larvae of Phytalus sanctipauli Blanch. was studied in the laboratory. Individually reared insects were given newly emerged seedlings of oat (Avena sativa), corn (Zea mays) or wheat (Triticum aestivum), or the three species together. The amount (dry mass) respectively of roots and seeds ingested was larger for wheat (28.5 and 41.5 mg), lower for oat (16.4 and 2.0 mg) and intermediate (22.6 and 24.9 mg) for corn. Leaf intake was similar for oat (18.2 mg) and wheat (19.8 mg) and larger for corn (2.1mg). Considering the seedling, consumption was larger for wheat either offered singly (89.8 mg) or not (56.9 mg). Grubs fed on wheat (100.2 mg) and corn (102.2 mg) were heavier than those fed on oat (85.9 mg). The average number of seedlings damaged/grub was larger for wheat (27.4) and oat (24.9) when compared to corn (0.9).
Insecta; Melolonthinae; white grub; nutrition; food preference
