Host-Induced Oviposition Preferences and Oviposition Markers in the Cowpea Weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus12

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Abstract
The bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus Fabr., chemically marks its host seeds with each oviposition event. Females reared on azuki beans laid a greater percentage of their eggs on that host than did females reared on pigeon peas, when both hosts were provided as oviposition substrates. However, the apparent Hopkins effect of host selection resulted entirely from the action of the oviposition marker, coupled with an oviposition preference for azuki beans. Observed differences in oviposition preference were due to variation in fecundity of females reared on these hosts with females reared on azuki beans less fecund. These results suggest that species that mark their hosts may show variation in host range due to local shortages of preferred species.