Oviposition behavior of Neomegalotomus parvus (West.) (Hemiptera: Alydidae): daily rhythm and site choice

Abstract

-Neomegalotomus parvus (West.) behavior related to choosing crevices of pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp., pods to lay eggs were studied. Blocking antennae, tarsi, eyes, abdomen, or all structures simultaneously, did not affect the site of the pod (crevices) chosen to lay eggs. Oviposition occurred mainly in the afternoon. Most eggs were laid from 4 to 6 pm. Females moved antennae alternately up and down. Dabbing/antennation was accomplished, first with antennae and then with antennae and labial tip and the ovipositor was exposed and swept over the surface of the pod, leading to oviposition. Eggs were held together with an adhesive substance. Mechanoreceptors were observed on the ovipositor.

Effects of Conspecific Herbivory and Mating Status on Host Searching and Oviposition Behavior ofPlutella xylostella(Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in Relation to Its Host,Brassica oleracea(Brassicales: Brassicaceae)

“…Antennal rotation on the other hand, is thought to help screening and possibly enhancing the probability of detection of odor molecules in the surrounding air by the multiporous sensilla on the antennae (Justus & Mitchell 1996). This behavior was observed in Lepidoptera and Hemiptera and has been linked to host detection (Chow et al 1984;Justus & Mitchell 1996;ventura & Panizzi 2000). In the observation cage, female moths were mostly engaged in the antennal rotation activity during the host location phase, and the frequency of moths being engaged in antennae rotation activity was significantly greater when the females were exposed to intact uninfested plants than to larvaeinfested plants.…”

Artificial Substrate Bioassay for Testing Oviposition of Southern Green Stink Bug Conditioned by Soybean Plant Chemical Extracts

“…Previous studies on oviposition preferences of Heteroptera on host or nonhost plants have not examined the chemical compounds that might inßuence such preferences. For example, the alydid Neomegalotomus parvus Westwood is known to oviposit in crevices of pods of pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan L. These speciÞc sites for egg laying are selected by mechanoreceptors present in the ovipositor (Ventura and Panizzi 2000). On another host plant, soybean, this bug oviposits on leaves, attaching the eggs near the midrib (Panizzi et al 1996).…”

Broad-Headed Bugs (Alydidae)

“…There are also several references to different species of alydines being attracted to and feeding on carrion, vertebrate fecal matter, and cow urine and ammonia (Schaefer 1980 ;Adler and Wheeler 1984 ;Ventura and Panizzi 2000 ;Silva et al 2010 ). These nitrogen-rich materials attract alydines, and it has been speculated that these bugs might require higher concentration of nitrogen than do other bugs, based on this behavior and their association with nitrogen-rich plants (i.e., legumes) .…”