EFFECT OF OVIPOSITION SITES ON EGG PRODUCTION AND LONGEVITY OF TROGODERMA PARABILE (COLEOPTERA: DERMESTIDAE)

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Abstract
Pairs of adults of Trogoderma parabile Beal were held in glass vials and provided with one of seven types of oviposition sites. Among the types of oviposition sites tested, the highest mean egg production was recorded on cotton balls and the lowest in empty glass vials. Egg production was not increased by adding food to vials that contained cotton balls. A suitable oviposition site, which provided crevices for insertion of the ovipositor, was more important than food in stimulating egg production. Non-ovipositing females lived longer than productive females on the various oviposition media. Adults fed, but did not require food to lay eggs. Mated females laid practically the same number of eggs during the oviposition period whether or not males were present.