Light and Oviposition in Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius)

Studies on the influence of light on the distribution of eggs in ovipositing female Callosobruchus maculatus showed that they preferred dark to lit conditions and that fewer eggs were laid on the lit upper surface of cowpea seeds than on the lower surface. Fewer eggs were also laid with an increase in photoperiod. These observation can be exploited in designing better storage systems for protecting cowpea against C maculatus.