Oviposition behaviour in Aegorhinus superciliosus (Guerin) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract

A. superciliosus deposit eggs principally in soil (95% of the eggs), but may also deposit the eggs occasionally on blackcurrent leaves (Ribes nigrum L.). When depositing the eggs on the soil, this may occur within or on top of the surface, with most eggs buried within the top 5 cm of soil. Most eggs are deposited within 5 cm of the stem of plants, with a significant decrease in concentration of eggs as the distance from the stem increases. Eggs are deposited individually and covered with a mucus type secretion produced by the female.