The Oviposition Responses of Calandra Granaria Linn

Abstract

1. The oviposition responses of Calandra granaria as manifested by the rate of oviposition, total eggs laid, length of life, length of life, length of ovipository life and length of preoviposition period, have been investigated under controlled conditions of temperature and saturation deficiency of air, grain having been acclimatized in its water content to the relative humidity of the air. 2. Calandra lives for a shorter time under high than under low temperatures but lays eggs at a greater rate, thus compensating for the shorter life. 3. There is evidence for the existence of an optimum saturation deficiency at each temperature for oviposition rate. 4. Weevils are shorter lived at high saturation deficiencies than they are at low. 5. The total number of eggs laid by weevils is smaller at high than at low saturation deficiencies of air. 6. Water content of the food grain contributes to these results in that dry food is conducive to low rate of oviposition, low total egg production and shorter life.