Abstract:
Mechanism of egg spacing behaviour and the olfactory response towards the oviposition marker in cowpea
weevil Callosobruchus maculatus (F) Brazil strain was investigated. An ether soluble chemical substance
(oviposition marker) secreted at the time of oviposition appears to be largely responsible for uniform egg
spacing. The presence of this chemical is mediated by contact chemoreception. The study demonstrated
that the adult females have the ability to distinguish their own oviposition markers and appear to ignore the
oviposition markers deposited by o flier females in further oviposition on egg-laden seeds.
