FACTORS AFFECTING THE STABILITY AND RECOGNITION OF THE OVIPOSITION MARKER PHEROMONE OF CALLOSOBRUCHUS-SUBINNOTATUS (PIC)

Several biological and physical factors were manipulated to determine if they interfere with the ability of females of Callosobruchus subinn otatus (Pie) to discriminate against seeds bearing conspecific eggs. E gg-laden seeds were found to be effective in deterring ovipositing fem ales throughout the trial period of 6 weeks. Scraping off eggs from se eds caused the deterrent effect of the oviposition marker to dissipate after 4 weeks. Females were able to distinguish between egg-laden and pristine seeds under various regimes of temperature, humidity, and li ght. Age of females did not affect their ability to distinguish betwee n egg-laden and pristine seeds. It is speculated that both contact and olfactory cues are necessary for the avoidance of egg-laden seeds.