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Interspecies interference of oviposition behaviour in the cowpea weevils Callosobruchus rhodesianus (Pic) and Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

D. P. Giga
Affiliation:
Department of Crop Science, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP167, Harare, Zimbabwe
J. Canhão
Affiliation:
Department of Crop Science, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP167, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Abstract

The total number of eggs laid by Callosobruchus rhodesianus (Pic.) and Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) females in the presence of single and mixed species populations of males at different densities were counted. Increasing male density significantly reduced the realised fecundity of C. maculatus but not C. rhodesianus females. In the presence of C. maculatus males, however, the number of eggs laid by C. rhodesianus was greatly reduced. The reduction in egg laying and observations on mating behaviour indicates direct physical interference between weevils and competition for mates. An adequate number of beans were provided so competition for oviposition sites by females was unlikely. The ability of C. maculatus to inhibit oviposition of C. rhodesianus is suggested as one reason for its superiority over the latter when the two species compete for limited resources.

Résumé

Le nombre d'oeufs pondus par Callosobruchus rhodesianus (Pic.) et Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) en présence de différentes densitées de males d'espèces unique ou mixtes fûrent compté. L'augmentation des densitées de males ont réduit de façon significative la fécondité réalisée de C. maculatus mais non celle de C. rhodesianus. Par contre en présence de males de l'espéce C. maculatus, le nombre d'oeufs pondus par C. rhodesianus fût grandement réduit. La réduction d'oeufs pondus inique une interférence physique directe entre les charançons ainsi qu'une compétition pour l'accouplement. Une qualité suffissante de fêves fût fournie afin que la compétition entre les femelles pour les sites d'oviposition soit improbable. La capacité d'inhiber l'oviposition de C. rhodesianus par C. maculatus est suggerée comme une raison pour sa supériorité sur C. rhodesianus lorsque les deux espéces compétitione pour des ressources limitées.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1997

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References

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