Egg Load as a Major Source of Variability in Insect Foraging and Oviposition Behavior

Abstract

Foraging and oviposition behavior of insects directly influences offspring production and fitness, and is therefore particularly amenable to analysis with optimization models. These models have identified two general constraints on female fitness: host availability and egg complement. Research on insect oviposition has thus far focused on external, environmentally-derived cues such as host density and quality. Here we review recent studies and suggest that insects adjust their foraging and oviposition behavior in response to their perceived risk of becoming egg limited