Abstract: Ceracris kiangsu is one of the major defoliators in the bamboo distribution area in southern China. Understanding the relevant habitat factors affecting oviposition preference and fecundity of C. kiangsu can provide a theoretical basis for the integrated control of C. kiangsu. In bamboo forests with C. kiangsu outbreak, oviposition sites of the females and non-oviposition sites were selected, and ecological factors as soil factors (soil water content and soil nutrients), bamboo stand factors (number of one-year-old and two-year-old bamboo, bamboo canopy coverage, and vegetation coverage) and habitat factors (including skylight area, aspect, and elevation) were investigated. The critical factors affecting oviposition preference and fecundity of C. kiangsu adults were determined by comprehensive comparative analysis. The results showed that C. kiangsu preferred to lay eggs in the lower-middle part of the southern side slope facing the sun, and that the skylights were conducive to C. kiangsu oviposition. The oviposition site was independent of altitude (P>0.05). We found that significant differences in the ratio of one-year-old bamboo individuals to two-year-old bamboo individuals, bamboo canopy coverage, total phosphorus content, potassium content, and soil water content between oviposition sites and non-oviposition sites (P<0.05). There were positive correlations between the number of bamboo, soil water content and the number of egg masses, and a negative correlation between altitude and the number of egg masses. The ratio of one-year-old and two-year-old bamboo individuals and soil water content were the predominant factors affecting the choice of oviposition sites. The number of bamboo individuals and soil water content were the key factors affecting the number of eggs laid by C. kiangsu in the bamboo forests.

Key words: Ceracris kiangsu, oviposition preference, soil factor, forest stand factor, habitat factor, correlation