Oviposition Of Sorghum Shoot Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Adults O'n Various Diets

Abstract

Many insect species accumulate protein reserves during the larval or nymphal stages and utilize these reserves for egg production; further food uptake during the adult stage is not required. Other species need a carbohydrate supplement to maintain life, thus making possible for the adult female .to utilize materials stored during the pre-emergence stages for the production of eggs. In other cases, the uptake of protein during the adult stage is essential for maximum egg productively. Some Diptera species are capable of producing the first batch of eggs from larval reserves but subsequent egg batohes are dependent upon protein and carbohydrate uptake (Johansson, 1964; Meksongsee et al.. 1978). This investigation was des1gnated to evaiuate the influence of various diets on the oviposi,tion of the shoot fiy adult, Atherigona soccata Rondani.