Abstract: The purpose of this study is to study the biological characteristics and phototaxis of Hydrillodes repugnalis, and increase yield of insect tea. The source of insects were obtained by attracting wild adults and bred by close net cages, then the development process and life habits of adults, larvae and pupae was observed regularly. While, the effects of monochromatic light waves and frequency conversion light waves on the photochemotactic behavior of adult worms were studied by photoethological method. The results show that in the production area of Guangxi, there are 3 generations per year. Pupation is in mid-March and emergence is in late April in the next year. Sexual maturation and mating occurs 2~3 days after emergence, and oviposition occurs 5~7 days after emergence. The growth course of each generation is different. The first generation is about 64 days, the second is about 72 days, and the third generation is about 205 days. Larvae growth period is the longest and adult period is the shortest in all generations. Adults are lurking in shallow food gaps or dark places during the day, act from eight to nine o’clock of night, and mating at night. Most eggs lay on the leaf surface of food layer, and are scattered. The larvae are photophobic and pseudo-lethal. The larvae are active in a warm, humid environment, and are fed on uncaria, jujube and fragrant leaves. In the range of 340 to 420 nm, the adult’s tendency to light is high. Gender and wavelength have certain influence on the chemotactic rate. The female adults have high phototaxis rateat wavelength of 360 nm, 390 nm and 350 to 369 nm, and the male adults have high phototaxis rate at wavelength of 360 nm, 420 nm and 350 to 369 nm. The adults of Hydrillodes repugnalis have strong phototaxis and concentrate in the range of 350 to 369 nm.

Key words: Hydrillodes repugnalis, biological characteristics, phototaxis