Effects of Substrate Physical Characteristics and Orientation on Oviposition by Eoreuma loftini1 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

The effects of substrate physical characteristics and orientation on oviposition by Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) were investigated in the laboratory. Dead sugarcane leaves were strongly preferred over live, green leaves for oviposition. Vertically oriented dead leaves were preferred over horizontally oriented dead leaves. Females oviposited more eggs on rough surfaces than on smooth surfaces. More eggs were laid in leaf crevices and folds than on exposed leaf surfaces. Substrate composition, texture, orientation, and exposure affected egg mass size.