Journal article

Publication year: 1994

Pages: 339-346

Journal: Journal of Stored Products Research

Volume number: 30

Issue number: 4

ISSN: 0022-474X

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-474X(94)90325-5

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
Some Callosobruchus spp are known to distribute their eggs on the legume seeds which they infest to ensure an even distribution of food resource among the offspring. The neurosensory organs involved in the dispersion of the eggs on bambarra nuts were studied in Callosobruchus subinnotatus. The antennae were necessary for the bruchid to discriminate between seeds with or without eggs. Amputation of the antennae caused the bruchid to deposit eggs indiscriminately between the two types of seeds. Secondly, the terminal half of the antenna was found to be the site of sensory cells that locate the seeds without eggs. The labial and maxillary palpi were found to mediate the even distribution of eggs on seeds. Amputation of the palpi did not impair the ability of the beetles to identify seeds without eggs but caused considerable clustering of the eggs on a few seeds. Treatment of the tarsi with 20% hydrochloric acid which destroyed sensory cells did not impair the ability of the female beetles to avoid eggs laden seeds and distribute eggs evenly on pristine seeds. Thus the tarsi were not involved in the distribution of eggs on the seeds. The role of the palpi was only fully realized in the presence of the antennae. The eyes played no role in either the location of pristine seeds or the distribution of eggs among seeds. These results were related to the observation of behavioral events that led to egg deposition on seeds.

Harvard Citation style: MBATA, G. (1994) SENSORY ORGANS INVOLVED IN EGG DISTRIBUTION IN CALLOSOBRUCHUS-SUBINNOTATUS PIC (COLEOPTERA, BRUCHIDAE), Journal of Stored Products Research, 30(4), pp. 339-346. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-474X(94)90325-5

APA Citation style: MBATA, G. (1994). SENSORY ORGANS INVOLVED IN EGG DISTRIBUTION IN CALLOSOBRUCHUS-SUBINNOTATUS PIC (COLEOPTERA, BRUCHIDAE). Journal of Stored Products Research. 30(4), 339-346. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-474X(94)90325-5