POPULATION-DENSITY EFFECT ON OVIPOSITION BEHAVIOR IN PERIPLANETA-FULIGINOSA (DICTYOPTERA, BLATTIDAE)

The effect of population density on reproductive behavior of the smoky -brown cockroach Periplaneta fuliginosa (Serville) was studied. Of the four substrates provided for oviposition sites, peat was used most fr equently for oviposition, followed by a simulated wall void, marble ch ips, and bare floor. Population density did not affect the number of o othecae produced by an individual female. However, density did affect substrate choice, the wall void being used most and peat least at high er densities. Eclosion rate was not affected by population density nor was the rate with which oothecae were glued to a substrate. Oothecae glued to a substrate had a greater eclosion rate than those that were not glued. Two possible explanations for this effect are that females can assess viability of oothecae and then glue them to a substrate or that gluing enhances the viability of the oothecae in some way.