Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of Larval Infestation on the Choice of Seed for Oviposition By Callosobruchus Maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

  • Research Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The presence of larvae in cowpea seeds affects the number of eggs laid and seed choice for oviposition by females of Caüosobruchus maculatus (F.). Gravid females can discriminate between seeds with differing number of larvae before oviposition. Seeds bearing no larva or few larvae were preferred for oviposition to those bearing greater number of larvae. In addition, seeds bearing younger larvae were preferred for oviposition to those bearing older larvae. The results are discussed in relation to observations on oviposition behaviour of C. maculatus reported by earlier workers.

Résumé

La présence de larves a l’Intérieur des graines de V. unguiculata modife le nombre d’oeufs pondus et détermine le choix de graines par les femelles de Callosobruchus maculatus. Les femelles gravides peuvent disciminer entudes graines infestées par différents nombres de larves avant l’acte de l’oviposition. Les graines dépourvues de larves ou qui en hébergeant peu sont choisies en préférence que celles en hébergeant un nombre élevé. Par ailleurs, les graines hébergeant des jeunes larves sont préférées pour l’oviposition plutôt que celles hébergeant des larves âgées. Les observations sont interprétées à la lumière des travaux, d’autres anteurs pour C. maculatus.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bellows T.S. Jr. (1982) Analytical models for laboratory populations of Callosobruchus chinensis and C. maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). J. Anim. Ecol. 51, 263–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Credland P.P., Dick K.M. and Wright A. W. (1986) Relationship between larval density, adult size and egg production in the cowpea seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus. Ecol. Entomol. 11, 41–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill D.S. (1983) Agricultural Insect Pests of the Tropics and their Control. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackai L.E.N. and Daoust R. A. (1986) Insect pests of cowpeas. A. Rev. Entomol. 31, 95–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Messina F. J. and Renwick J. A. A. (1985a) Ability of ovipositing seed beetles to discriminate between seeds with different egg-loads. Ecol. Entomol. 10, 225–230.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Messina F.J. and Renwick J.A.A. (1985b) Mechanism for egg recognition by the cowpea weevil Callosobruchus maculatus. Entomol. Exp. Appl. 37, 241–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell R. (1975) The evolution of oviposition tactics in the bean weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). Ecol. Entomol. 56, 696–702.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ofuya T.I. (1987) Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) oviposition behaviour on cowpea seeds. Insect Sei. Applic. 8, 77–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osuji F. N. C. (1982) Radiographic studies of the development of Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera:Bruchidae) in cowpea seeds. J. stored Prod. Res. 18, 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prokopy R. J., Roitberg B.D. and Averill A.L. (1984) Resource partitioning. In Chemical Ecology of Insects. (Edited by Bell W.J. and Carde R.T.), pp. 301–330. Sinauer Associates, Sunderland.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Sakai A., Honda H., Oshima K. and Yamamoto I. (1986) Oviposition marking pheromone of two bean weevils, Callosobruchus chinensis and C. maculatus. J. Pestic. Sei. 11, 163–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith R. H. and Lessells C. M. (1985) Oviposition, ovicide and larval competition in granivorous insects. In Behavioural Ecology: Ecological Consequences of Adaptive Behaviour. (Edited by Sibly R.M. and Smith R.H.), pp. 432–448. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Southgate B. J. (1979) Biology of Bruchidae. A. Rev. Entomol. 24, 449–473.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wasserman S. S. (1981) Host-induced oviposition preferences and oviposition markers in the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 74, 242–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson K. (1988) Egg laying decisions by the bean weevil Callosobruchus maculatus. Ecol. Entomol. 13, 107–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop Production, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria

    T. I. Ofuya

Authors
  1. T. I. Ofuya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ofuya, T.I. Effect of Larval Infestation on the Choice of Seed for Oviposition By Callosobruchus Maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Int J Trop Insect Sci 10, 437–440 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400003684

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400003684

Key Words

Mots Cléfs

Search

Navigation