Oviposition behavior of stenoma catenifer (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae): Chemical and physical stimuli and diel pattern of egg laying

Abstract

The influence of chemical and physical stimuli on the diel patterns of oviposition behavior of the borer Stenoma catenifer Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) were investigated. All experiments were conducted in the laboratory (25 ± 2°C,60 ± 20% RH, photoperiod of 14:10 [L:D] h) by using five pairs per cage (n = 5). To evaluate response to chemical stimulation, the cages were lined internally with a paper towel containing different treatments: 1 and 2) avocado fruit of 'Margarida' and 'Breda', 3) artificial fruit, and 4) no fruit (natural or artificial). Quilted paper towel, nonquilted paper towel, and a smooth sheet of paper were used to evaluate response to the substrate. The numbers of eggs in all treatments that included avocado fruit were statistically higher than the others. Likewise, the numbers of eggs on quilted paper towel were statistically higher than on nonquilted paper towel or on smooth paper. The peak egg-laying time in the laboratory occurred from 2000 to 2400 hours. © 2005 Entomological Society of America.