Abstract: Yellow-spined bamboo locust \[Ceracris kiangsu (Orthoptera: Oedipodidae)\] is an important pest for bamboo in southern China. To better understand the driving forces of the mud-puddling behavior of C. kiangsu, we analyzed the income and output of nitrogen during its life history and the relationship between nitrogen loss and its mudpuddling behavior. The results showed that the peak periods of feeding and excretion occurred in adult stage, which was significantly higher than those in nymphal stage (P<0.001). Exuviating was an important reason for nitrogenloss. The emergence period was the key period for nitrogen loss. In conclusion, nitrogen loss would be an important force driving the mud-puddling behavior for C. kiangsu.

Key words: maize, seed germination, physiological characteristics., combined stress