The aim of the study was to analyze the pattern of oviposition time in laying sequences in broiler breeder hens and to determine a relationship between egg position in the sequence and egg quality. The sequences were described using mean oviposition time (hour) within a sequence, mean lag of oviposition time between successive ovipositions, and mean and cumulative lag of oviposition for a seque...

the potato tuberworm, phthorimaea operculella (zeller) (lepidoptera: gelechiidae), is one of the most damaging pests of cultivated potato (solanum tuberosum l.) crop, in both field and stores in tropical and subtropical regions. the biological parameters of this pest were evaluated in the growth chamber at 24±1ºc, 65±5% rh and photoperiod of 14:10 h (l:d) on leaves of ten potato cultivars, agri...

Two artificial oviposition sites containing aged alfalfa pellet infusion were exposed to natural populations of Culex quinquefasciatus in San Antonio, Texas, for 3 years. Numbers of egg rafts were counted daily and compared to weather data from a nearby station. Egg rafts were generally most numerous in summer months, declining in fall and increasing in spring. Oviposition occulred in winter on...

BACKGROUND There is a global need for cost-effective and environmentally friendly tools for control of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. One potential way to achieve this is to combine already available tools to gain synergistic effects to reduce vector mosquito populations. Another possible way to improve mosquito control is to extend the active period of a given control agent, enabling ...

The endoparasitoid Microplitis prodeniae Rao and Chandry is an important potential augmentative biological control agent for lepidopteran pests of vegetables and tobacco. However, cold storage of pupae is required to ensure that sufficient parasitoids are available when they are needed in the field. In this study, pupae were maintained at 0, 4 or 10°C for 5-50 days after which the adults were e...

Oviposition site-selection in insects is mediated through innate recognition templates (IRTs) tuned to specific chemical cues. These cues aid gravid insects in choosing suitable oviposition sites and may even enhance the fitness of their offspring by warding off predators and parasitoids. However, studies on the evolution of oviposition site-selection and cues instigating oviposition in domesti...

Two artificial oviposition sites containing aged alfalfa pellet infusion were exposed to natural populations of Culex quinquefasciatus in San Antonio, Texas, for 3 years. Numbers of egg rafts were counted daily and compared to weather data from a nearby station. Egg rafts were generally most numerous in summer months, declining in fall and increasing in spring. Oviposition occurred in winter on...

Insect oviposition on plants frequently precedes herbivory. Accumulating evidence indicates that plants recognize insect oviposition and elicit direct or indirect defenses to reduce the pressure of future herbivory. Most of the oviposition-triggered plant defenses described thus far remove eggs or keep them away from the host plant or their desirable feeding sites. Here, we report induction of ...