Oviposition site partitioning in dacus cucurbitae
1982
High densities (12 or more) of Dacus cucurbitae eggs per 18 mm diam host fruit resulted in fewer numbers (per egg basis) and reduced size of adult progeny compared with a lower egg density. Observational and experimental evidence indicated (a) the absence of any female-deposited substance of pheromonal nature or fruit origin which influenced frequency of female arrivals, oviposition attempts, or number of eggs laid in high egg density fruit, but (b) the ability of ♀♀ to detect high densities of conspecific larvae (or larval infested fruit) and refrain from ovipositing in such. We suggest that in many circumstances, the latter capability may be sufficient to prevent overcrowding of host fruit and permit partitioning of D. cucurbitae oviposition among sites conducive to development of fit progeny.
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