Oviposition Deterrence Is Likely an Effect,Not a Mechanism,in the Leaf Beetle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysophtharta bimaculata</Emphasis> (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Oviposition deterrence is common in many insects as an evolutionary mechanism to reduce subsequent larval competition. We investigated a suspected case of oviposition deterrence by the paropsine chrysomelid, Chrysophtharta bimaculata. In paired choice tests, gravid females were found to prefer ovipositing on host leaves without conspecific eggs, confirming the presence of an apparent oviposition deterrence mechanism. Washing egg batches in water, hexane, or ethanol did not change this preference, suggesting that a soluble marking pheromone was not involved. Furthermore, it is unlikely that a plant-derived oviposition deterring substance is produced as beetles showed no significant oviposition preference between leaves which had been oviposited upon, but then had the eggs removed, and those that had never been oviposited upon. In trials using artificial leaves and mimic egg batches, “leaves” with “egg batches” placed near the tip of the leaf (the preferred site of oviposition in this species) were significantly less likely to be laid upon than artificial leaves where mimic eggs were placed away from the tip. In combination, the results strongly infer that oviposition deterrence in C. bimaculata is due to the mechanical blocking of the oviposition site by the first laid egg-batch, rather than a specific oviposition deterring cue. The apparent oviposition deterrence in this insect may well be an outcome or evolutionary effect of oviposition-site selection, rather than a clear adaptive mechanism to decrease larval competition.     

Oviposition preference of Anthocoris nemoralis and A. nemorum (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) on pear leaves affected by leaf damage, honeydew and prey

Anthocorids are important predators of insect pests in pome fruit. Their choice of oviposition site determines the later distribution of nymphs. In two-choice experiments it was tested whether A. nemorum and A. nemoralis would show oviposition preference with regard to simulated insect damage, mimicked by piercing leaves with a fine pin, and whether the oviposition preference of A. nemoralis was affected by the presence of honeydew or eggs of their prey C. pyri. Leaves with simulated damage were preferred by A. nemoralis, but this was not the case for A. nemorum. Honeydew-treated leaves attracted more oviposition than honeydew-free leaves. On honeydew-treated leaves significantly more eggs were laid on the surface where honeydew had been applied, rather than the opposite. When C. pyri eggs were placed along the abaxial midvein, prey infestation attracted more oviposition. On the infested leaf more eggs were laid near the prey along the abaxial midvein than along the adaxial midvein. In contrast, when prey was placed along the adaxial midvein, no overall preference was found for prey-infested leaves, but on infested leaves, more eggs were laid near the prey along the adaxial midvein than along the abaxial midvein. Results showed that prey cues and presence of prey guide predator oviposition, even within the single leaf. The perspectives for biological control in orchards are discussed.     

Diamondback moth egg susceptibility to rainfall: effects of host plant and oviposition behavior

Oviposition patterns of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), differ between common cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. var. pekinensis) (Brassicaceae) host plants. This study shows that the moth prefers to oviposit on adaxial rather than abaxial leaf surfaces and petioles of both host plants. More eggs were laid in leaf veins than on leaf laminas of both host plants, especially in Chinese cabbage, where 94.6% of eggs were laid in veins. On Chinese cabbage, very few eggs were laid in clusters (≥2 eggs), whereas on common cabbage approximately 30% of eggs were laid in groups of 2 or more eggs. Removal of wax from common cabbage leaves dramatically increased the number of eggs laid singly on the leaf lamina of treated plants, suggesting that leaf waxes affect how eggs are distributed by ovipositing DBM. Eggs were most susceptible to removal by rainfall from the plant surface immediately (<1 h) after oviposition and when close to hatching (>72h old) whereas they were least susceptible 24 h after oviposition. Eggs laid on common cabbage plants were more susceptible to simulated rainfall than eggs laid on Chinese cabbage plants. On common cabbage plants, egg susceptibility to rainfall on different plant parts ranked adaxial leaf surfaces>petioles = abaxial leaf surfaces>stem, but there was no difference in egg susceptibility to rainfall on the various plant parts of Chinese cabbage. Furthermore, on common cabbage plants, eggs laid on both adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces were afforded significant protection from the effects of rainfall by leaves higher in the plant canopy. On common cabbage plants, oviposition patterns reduce the potential impact of rainfall on eggs, possibly reducing the effect of this important abiotic mortality factor in the field.     

Oviposition preference of Anthocoris nemorum and A. nemoralis for apple and pear

Anthocoris nemorum L. and Anthocoris nemoralis Fabricius (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) are important predators of insect pests in pome fruit. Females insert their eggs in leaf tissue. The females’ choice of oviposition site is important for the subsequent distribution of nymphs on host plants. Oviposition preference for apple and pear leaves was tested in the laboratory in four experiments (experiments 1–4). In three experiments it was tested whether simulated insect damage to leaves (experiments 5 and 6) or the presence of prey (experiment 7) influenced oviposition preference. The effect of the presence of prey was only tested for A. nemorum on apple leaves. There was a highly significant anthocorid species × plant interaction for the number of eggs laid on apple and pear leaves. Anthocoris nemorum laid more eggs on apple than on pear leaves, while A. nemoralis preferred pear. Anthocoris nemorum's preference for apple increased over the 6‐week period in which experiments 1–4 were performed, from 66% to 91% eggs laid on apple leaves. No change over time in preference was found for A. nemoralis. Across experiments 1–4, the majority of A. nemorum eggs were laid near leaf margins, whereas eggs of A. nemoralis were more commonly found in the leaf centre, 5 mm or more from the margin, with a highly significant leaf region × species interaction. There was no significant difference in preference for leaf side between A. nemorum and A. nemoralis, but there was a highly significant plant × leaf side × experiment interaction. Thus, more eggs were laid on the ventral than on the dorsal side of pear leaves in experiment 4, while significantly more eggs were laid on the dorsal side of apple leaves in experiments 3 and 4. Choice tests between damaged and healthy leaves showed that A. nemorum laid significantly more eggs on the damaged leaves, while A. nemoralis preferred healthy leaves. Anthocoris nemorum showed a near‐significant preference for ovipositing on leaves with eggs of Operophtera brumata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). The oviposition preferences found correspond to the natural distribution of these predators in apple and pear orchards. The preference of A. nemorum for leaf margins, and of A. nemoralis for the leaf centre as an oviposition site, supports earlier observations. A preference for leaf side for oviposition site has not been reported earlier. Preference for damaged leaves could help A. nemorum to locate prey in a field situation.     

Distribution ofChilo partellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) egg batches on maize

Distribution ofChilo partellus egg masses was studied in field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments. The eggs were laid in batches mainly on the lower side and the lower leaves of the plant. The egg batch size ranged from 1 to 169 eggs, with a median of 33.5 eggs per batch (average, 40.5). Oviposition ofC. partellus is described at two levels. The first level, choice of oviposition plants, followed a random distribution. The second level, number of egg batches per plant, followed an aggregated distribution in the field, where more than one egg batch was deposited on the same plant by the same female, which was found on 25% of the oviposition plants. A mechanism for egg-layingC. partellus females to perceive preceding oviposition or injured plants could not be detected. Oviposition site choice seemed to be mediated by tactile stimuli.     

The influence of leaf age on the oviposition preference of Chrysophtharta bimaculata (Olivier) and the establishment of neonates

1 The degree of discrimination shown by a herbivore when selecting oviposition sites has been suggested as a key factor to understanding herbivore population dynamics. Chrysophtharta bimaculata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a primary pest of Tasmanian eucalypt forests and can cause severe defoliation. Previous work suggests that females show discrimination when selecting oviposition sites. Our aim was to test the degree of oviposition discrimination exhibited by C. bimaculata with regards to leaf toughness, a character that is critical to neonate survival. 2 We conducted an experiment examining the leaf toughness critical for neonate survival and found that significant larval mortality occurs above a toughness of 46.9 g. We also determined that the maximum toughness of leaves upon which larvae established in the field was 48.2 g, supporting the laboratory result. 3 Field surveys showed that although the majority of eggs were laid on leaves suitable for larval establishment, many eggs were laid on unsuitable, tougher leaves. However, all eggs were normally placed within 20 cm of suitable leaves and glasshouse trials demonstrated the neonates could move this distance without mortality occurring. 4 We conclude that egg batch distribution and larval performance of C. bimaculata will influence the population dynamics of C. bimaculata in two ways. Firstly, the availability of expanding/newly expanding leaves of eucalypt hosts will determine larval carrying capacity. Secondly, at a more localized level, the deposition of large numbers of egg batches on both suitable and unsuitable leaves followed by successful neonate migration increases the risk of resource depletion and poor larval development.     

Different oviposition behaviour in Chrysomelid beetles: Characterisation of the interface between oviposition secretion and the plant surface

The behavioural sequence of the oviposition process can be quite distinct in herbivorous leaf beetles: eggs are either connected to the plant surface or laid into mesophyll tissue. Females of two beetle species were recorded with a digital camera in order to analyse their oviposition behaviour. The morphology of the plant-egg-interface was investigated in three species by histological studies and scanning electron microscopy. The lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii, oviposits directly on the plant cuticle without damaging the plant tissue. Several eggs are released together with secretion and are laid in a row. The secretion sorbes in the plant cuticle. In the close relative, Lilioceris merdigera, the secretion can enter the leaf tissue via the stomata. The mustard leaf beetle, Phaedon cochleariae, gnaws a characteristic hole into the epidermis and part of the mesophyll. Into this cavity, it releases in an alternating sequence secretion, a single egg and again secretion. The egg, which is usually laid on plants growing in wetlands, is surrounded by an extrachorion that might possess a respiratory function. The potential eco-physiological relevance of the specific nature of the placement of eggs and secretion on or in the plant tissue is discussed.     

日本刀角瓢虫对不同叶毛密度茄子品种的产卵选择性

【目的】产卵是昆虫发育过程中繁衍后代、维持种群数量的重要环节。在前期研究发现日本刀角瓢虫Serangium japonicum喜欢在茄子Solanum melongena叶片上产卵的前提下,本研究旨在深入探究日本刀角瓢虫对不同叶毛密度茄子品种的产卵选择性,以期进一步明确植物叶毛介导的日本刀角瓢虫产卵选择机制。【方法】观察日本刀角瓢虫雌成虫在4个茄子品种(黑到底、黑妞、日友长直壮、络星)叶碟和植株上的产卵选择性,测定不同茄子品种上日本刀角瓢虫后代的生长发育及成虫的繁殖力、捕食能力和对叶片的附着力,观察4个茄子品种叶片背面超微结构,测定日本刀角瓢虫雌成虫对茄子叶片的气味选择,测量茄子叶片上烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci卵粒的长度和宽度,测定日本刀角瓢虫卵被其雌成虫的同类捕食风险。【结果】日本刀角瓢虫偏好在黑到底上产卵,后代个体在黑到底品种上总发育历期(15.41±0.21 d)最短,亲代单雌产卵量(877.44±15.27粒/头)最高。但是,日本刀角瓢虫的产卵量占比与子代生长表现(发育历期、存活率和成虫体重)和成虫生存表现(繁殖力和捕食能力)均无显著相关性,而与叶片背面叶毛密度和长度存在显著正相关性;日本刀角瓢虫在茄子叶碟上的产卵量占比与日本刀角瓢虫雌成虫附着力存在显著正相关性。日本刀角瓢虫雌成虫附着力与叶毛密度显著正相关,而与亲代生长表现无显著相关关系。茄子叶片气味、猎物质量以及被同类捕食风险均不显著影响日本刀角瓢虫的产卵选择。【结论】茄子叶片背面叶毛密度及叶毛介导的日本刀角瓢虫附着力在日本刀角瓢虫对茄子叶片的产卵选择性中起重要作用。     

四种材料作为异色瓢虫产卵载体的适合性比较

比较了蚕豆苗叶片、甘蓝叶片、小油菜叶片和纸条作为人工扩繁异色瓢虫Harmoniaaxyridis(Pallas)时产卵载体的适合性。异色瓢虫对这 4种产卵载体有明显的选择性 ,多在蚕豆苗叶片和甘蓝叶片上产卵 ,纸条上次之 ,在小油菜叶片上产卵很少。在产卵载体对单雌产卵量影响方面 ,蚕豆苗叶片、甘蓝叶片和纸条 3者之间的差异不显著 ,且产于这 3种载体上的卵块在 ( 1 0± 1 )℃下冷藏的孵化率没有明显差异。由于纸条不会出现枯萎现象 ,易制成卵卡 ,所以可用作卵商品化时的产卵载体 ,而蚕豆苗叶片和甘蓝叶片可作为保留虫源或繁殖时的产卵载体。     

Oviposition site selection on oats: the effect of plant architecture,plant and leaf age,tissue toughness,and hardness on cereal leaf beetle,Oulema melanopus

In sequentially planted oat stands, the cereal leaf beetle (CLB), Oulema melanopus (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Lemini), is found in greater numbers, and lays more eggs, on later planted (younger) oats (Avena sativa L.) (Poaceae). Plant characteristics that could explain this ovipositional preference were examined in a series of experiments. Cage and open field whole plant preference tests confirmed the attraction of ovipositing females to younger oats. A cage effect illustrated the role of plant architecture (plant height) in CLB host selection. Two multiple‐choice and one no‐choice excised leaf experiments determined that characteristics of individual leaves associated with leaf insertion level (leaf number from base to apex) and age influence ovipositional site selection. Leaves of higher insertion level have higher nitrogen content, but fewer eggs are laid on those leaves. Two experiments examining the interaction between total leaf nitrogen and leaf insertion level showed that only leaf insertion level affected oviposition choice. Published literature suggests variation in secondary plant compounds cannot explain O. melanopus ovipositional preference among leaves. Grass leaves of higher insertion level have more extensively developed cells associated with tissue toughness and hardness. The data and supporting literature suggest tissue toughness and hardness are deterring oviposition on oat leaves of higher insertion level. However, newly eclosed larvae are able to feed on leaves usually avoided as oviposition sites. The explanation for this result may be a lack of correlation between host suitability and ovipositional preference.     

Imperfect oviposition decisions by the pitcher plant mosquito (Wyeomyia smithii)

Summary Wyeomyia smithii mosquitoes distribute their eggs across available oviposition sites (water-holding pitcher plant leaves) of varying quality. I experimentally examined responses to three components of site quality: conspecific larval density, larval density of the pitcher plant midge,Metriocnemus knabi, and pitcher size. Responses to larval treatments were complex and apparently suboptimal. Although mosquito larval performance is better in leaves with fewer conspecific and more midge larvae, females did not lay more eggs in such pitchers. Instead, more eggs were laid in experimental pitchers containing either midge or mosquito larvae, but fewer eggs in pitchers with neither or both. More eggs were laid in larger pitchers, which tend to accumulate more resources and dry out less often. Therefore, although the oviposition decisions made were suboptimal, they were better than random.     

Distribution of second generation European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis, egg masses in field corn and relationship to subsequent tunneling damage

The relationship between second generation European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner) egg mass numbers and subsequent field corn damage, as measured by stalk cavity numbers, was studied in 79 fields in northeastern North Carolina over three years. A mean of 0.028 egg masses per plant (645 egg masses/23400 plants) was found over the course of the study. Significant differences in oviposition rate were detected between fields and years. Ca. 85% of egg masses were deposited in a five leaf zone surrounding the primary ear; of these, 89% were found on the lower four leaves in this zone. Egg masses appeared to be distributed randomly within fields but at low rates of incidence, and oviposition was relatively uniform between sampling areas within individual fields. Under moderate to high oviposition pressure (mean number of egg masses per plant over the duration of the oviposition period >ca. 0.02), eggs laid during the early phases of the oviposition period account for more subsequent stalk damage than eggs laid during the later phases of the oviposition period. Variations in second generation egg mass numbers accounted for ca. 70% of variation in stalk cavity numbers.     

Sibling and non-sibling cannibalism by larvae of a lady beetleHarmonia axyridis Pallas (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in the field

Sibling (cannibalism among siblings) and non-sibling cannibalism (cannibalism among non-siblings) were studied in a natural population of a lady beetle, Harmonia axyridisPallas . Of all the eggs laid (n=2269), 24.76% (n=562) were killed by sibling cannibalism and 36.10% (n=819) were killed by non-sibling cannibalism. Sibling cannibalism occurred constantly and intensively in most egg batches throughout the entire oviposition period. On the other hand, non-sibling cannibalism was more intense in the middle and late oviposition periods, and when the egg batches were close to an aphid colony. This may be due to the high density of H. axyridis larvae relative to aphid density in the middle and late oviposition periods and also the larvae searching intensively near an aphid colony.     

梨小食心虫的产卵选择性

为了准确掌握梨小食心虫的产卵特性,研究模拟室外条件下该虫在不同寄主果树的叶片、桃枝不同部位及不同品种桃果上的产卵偏好.结果表明: 梨小食心虫成虫对7种寄主果树叶片的产卵偏好由高至低依次为:桃＞樱桃＞苹果＞李＞梨＞海棠＞杏.在桃树叶片上的产卵量占总产卵量的33.5%,平均单叶卵量达8.3粒;虫卵在不同寄主叶片正、反两面的分布有所差异,苹果和海棠叶片正面卵量多于背面,桃、李、梨、杏叶背面卵量多于正面,桃叶背面卵量是正面的3.3倍,樱桃叶两面卵量差异不明显;该虫在桃枝上产卵部位选择顺序为:叶片＞托叶＞叶柄＞枝条,叶片是其主要产卵部位,占总产卵量的88.7%;梨小食心虫在桃枝上主要选择靠近顶端未展叶的前10片桃叶背面产卵,前10叶卵量占总产卵量的725%,其中第3片叶上产卵最多,占9.3%;第25叶以后仅占总产卵量的1.1%;在不同类型桃果上的产卵偏好次序为:油桃＞蟠桃＞毛桃;绒毛疏密及其特点是影响梨小食心虫在寄主果树叶片和果实上产卵选择的首要因素.     

梨小食心虫的产卵选择性

为了准确掌握梨小食心虫的产卵特性,研究模拟室外条件下该虫在不同寄主果树的叶片、桃枝不同部位及不同品种桃果上的产卵偏好.结果表明: 梨小食心虫成虫对7种寄主果树叶片的产卵偏好由高至低依次为:桃＞樱桃＞苹果＞李＞梨＞海棠＞杏.在桃树叶片上的产卵量占总产卵量的33.5%,平均单叶卵量达8.3粒;虫卵在不同寄主叶片正、反两面的分布有所差异,苹果和海棠叶片正面卵量多于背面,桃、李、梨、杏叶背面卵量多于正面,桃叶背面卵量是正面的3.3倍,樱桃叶两面卵量差异不明显;该虫在桃枝上产卵部位选择顺序为:叶片＞托叶＞叶柄＞枝条,叶片是其主要产卵部位,占总产卵量的88.7%;梨小食心虫在桃枝上主要选择靠近顶端未展叶的前10片桃叶背面产卵,前10叶卵量占总产卵量的725%,其中第3片叶上产卵最多,占9.3%;第25叶以后仅占总产卵量的1.1%;在不同类型桃果上的产卵偏好次序为:油桃＞蟠桃＞毛桃;绒毛疏密及其特点是影响梨小食心虫在寄主果树叶片和果实上产卵选择的首要因素.     

Diamondback moth oviposition: effects of host plant and herbivory

The oviposition behaviour of Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. Pekinensis, cv. Wombok), canola (Brassica napus L. cv. Thunder TT), and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. Capitata, cv. sugarloaf) (Brassicaceae) was studied in the laboratory. In no‐choice experiments moths laid most eggs on the stems and lower three leaves of cabbage plants, the lower three leaves of canola plants, but on the upper three leaves of Chinese cabbage plants. The effects of conspecific herbivore damage to foliage could be replicated by mechanical damage. When foliage was damaged, injured cabbage and canola plants were preferred for oviposition over intact conspecifics, whereas injured Chinese cabbage plants were less preferred than intact conspecifics. However, when root tissue was damaged, intact cabbage and canola plants were preferred over injured conspecifics, whereas moths did not discriminate between root‐damaged and intact Chinese cabbage plants. Injury to upper leaves significantly affected the intra‐plant distribution of eggs. In cabbage and canola plants, injury to leaf 6 significantly increased the number of eggs laid on this leaf, resulting in a significant decrease in the number of eggs laid on the lower foliage/stem of plants, whereas in Chinese cabbage plants it significantly decreased the number of eggs laid on leaf 6. Following oviposition on intact plants, neonate larvae established the vast majority of feeding sites on leaves 5–8 in all three host plants, indicating that larvae moved a considerable distance from preferred oviposition sites in cabbage and canola plants. The growth rate of neonates fed on leaf‐6 tissue was significantly greater than that of those fed on leaf‐1 tissue; >90% of larvae completed development when fed exclusively on leaf‐6 tissue but no larvae completed development when fed exclusively on leaf‐1 tissue. The study demonstrates the complex and unpredictable interactions between P. xylostella and its host plants and provides a basis from which we can begin to understand observed distributions of the pest in Brassica crops.     

Effects of leaf damage on oviposition choice in an invasive paropsine beetle

In 2007, an invasive paropsine beetle, Paropsisterna nr. gloriosa Blackburn, caused severe defoliation of Eucalyptus in mixed‐species foliage plantations in south‐west Ireland. At many of the plantations, Eucalyptus parvula L.A.S. Johnson & K.D. Hill was the most heavily damaged species while Eucalyptus pulverulenta Sims was generally resistant to the beetle. However, at the most heavily damaged site beetles moved to feed on E. pulvarulenta presumably during periods when suitable foliage (new leaves) of E. parvula had been severely depleted. The present study examines factors underlying shifts in oviposition from the preferred to non‐preferred host. In choice and no‐choice experiments, P. nr. gloriosa laid more eggs directly on new E. parvula foliage compared with new E. pulverulenta foliage. However, in choice experiments where new E. parvula foliage was unavailable (but old foliage available), more eggs were laid on new E. pulverulenta foliage. The potential for prior feeding damage to stimulate or deter oviposition on either host was also examined. Prior damage to new and old E. parvula leaves increased egg‐laying directly on the damaged foliage; however, prior damage to E. pulverulenta may have inhibited oviposition. The results suggest that in mixed‐species plantations, facilitation of oviposition on preferred hosts through prior feeding damage helps maintain the relative resistance of E. pulverulenta against P. nr. gloriosa, even under high beetle densities. However, the vulnerability of E. pulverulenta will increase where suitable age‐classes of preferred‐host foliage are severely depleted or unavailable.     

Multiple oviposition by Apoderus balteatus (Coleoptera, Attelabidae) is associated with larger leaves

ABSTRACT.

• 1 The female weevil of Apoderus balteatus Roelofs cuts the leaf near its base in order to make a leaf-roll‘cradle', in which one, two or three eggs are laid. Cuts are always located about 5 mm from the leaf base, independent of leaf size.
• 2 Larger leaves are made into larger cradles.
• 3 Weevils tend to lay more eggs in large cradles.
• 4 Eggs are laid through different holes and separated by leaf layers in the cradle. Cannibalism by larvae will be prevented by this isolated oviposition.
• 5 Multiple oviposition of this weevil allows larger leaves to be used by multiple larvae. It facilitates more efficient use of larger leaves and economizes on female effort in cradle formation.

     

Host suitability of various stored food products for the cigarette beetle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lasioderma serricorne</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)

We investigated the attraction to, and ovipositional activity and egg-to-adult survival rate on, 11 stored products of Lasioderma serricorne (F.). These products included polished rice, unpolished rice, wheat flour, corn flour, cocoa powder, roasted coffee beans, green tea leaves, black tea leaves, soybean flour, flue-cured tobacco leaves, and dried small sardines. Tobacco, cocoa, soybean flour, black tea, and wheat flour significantly attracted the beetles. Corn flour, green tea, and coffee tended to attract the beetles. Ovipositional activity of beetle was higher on the food materials than on nonfood materials. The highest ovipositional activity was observed on coffee, followed by cocoa. Ovipositional activity on black tea, unpolished rice, and green tea was also relatively high. Methanol extracts of coffee beans showed oviposition-stimulatory activity. Therefore, the high ovipositional activity observed on coffee beans could be attributed to oviposition stimulants contained in the beans. In the egg-to-adult survival test, all eggs laid on polished rice or tobacco leaves developed successfully into adults, whereas none of the eggs laid on black tea, green tea, or coffee beans developed into adults. These findings suggest that suitability as an attractive target, suitability as an oviposition site, and suitability as larval food are not always compatible.     

Field oviposition rates and egg load dynamics of pollen beetles (Meligethes aeneus Fab.) (Colepotera: Nitidulidae)

Abstract 1 Egg loads from field collected pollen beetles (Meligethes aeneus Fab., Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) were determined by dissecting beetles caught at the beginning and end of the putative daily oviposition period. Field collected beetles were offered Brassica napus (L.) plants in cages for 8 (morning and early afternoon), 16 (overnight), and 24 h to ascertain the number of eggs laid during these time periods. 2 Most eggs were laid in the morning and early afternoon. The proportion of gravid females was higher at the beginning of the oviposition period than at the end. Most females in the morning carried two eggs, whereas one egg was more common in the afternoon. 3 We hypothesized that the number of eggs laid during the oviposition period would be equivalent to the difference between egg loads at the beginning and end of oviposition. This was not the case; differences in egg loads were significantly lower than number of eggs laid. However, the number of eggs laid was equivalent to the egg load at the beginning of the oviposition period, suggesting that eggs available in the morning are laid during the following day. 4 Population estimates of daily oviposition rates, approximately 0.7 eggs per beetle and day, were close to estimates from laboratory studies when the proportion of gravid females was taken into consideration.