Effect of dietary cucurbitacin C on southern corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) egg survival

Determined whether the eggs of Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi from adults that had fed on a bitter (cucurbitacin C-containing) cucumber Cucumis sativus variety experience less predation than eggs from beetles that had fed on a nonbitter (noncucurbitacin C-containing) cucumber variety. Presence of cucurbitacin C does not appear to protect southern corn rootworm eggs from predation by the arthropod predators tested compared with nonbitter eggs, but more rapid development and earlier eclosion of bitter eggs relative to nonbitter eggs may help bitter eggs survive in soils that fluctuate between dry and moist conditions. -from Authors