PHYSICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE OVIPOSITION OF LUTZOMYIA-MIGONEI (DIPTERA, PSYCHODIDAE) IN LABORATORY CONDITIONS

To determine the influence of physical factors oil oviposition of Lutz omyia migonei (Diptera: Psychodidae) under laboratory conditions, two Sets of experiments were performed. The first test was to determine th e influence of the size of pots on oviposition. Gravid flies were plac ed individually or in groups in different oviposition pots. The number of eggs laid, oviposition time and survival of gravid females were ob served. In the second experiment the influence of irregular surfaces o n oviposition was studied The results suggested that physical space wa s not an important factor ii? the oviposition behavior of L. migonei a nd that the flies Showed a preference to oviposit on irregular horizon tal surfaces in response to thigmotropic behavior.