Rearing techniques provide a unique opportunity to study aspects of insect
ecology, behaviour and physiology. Both the larval and adult stages in
Melolonthinae scarabs have important impacts on crop and pasture yields
worldwide. Rearing techniques for this group of phytophagous beetles
usually results in a low survival rate from larva to adult, varying from 10%
to 50%. Here, the current rearing method used for the New Zealand grass
grub (Costelytra zealandica) was improved by increasing the pupation
weight threshold, as well as by changing the container type used to rear the larvae. This improved method produced an 83% increase in the survival rate from larva to adult, and the technique developed here may help increase the laboratory survival rate of other Melolonthinae species worldwide