337 



657. , and Cross, W. H. 1969. Oviposition by the boll weevil in the field. 

 J. Econ. Entomol. 62: 604-605. 



Oviposition by Anthonomus grandis Boheman was observed in detail in the field. 

 Average time from intial mating to 1st oviposition was 21 minutes, but the 

 oviposition time for overwintered females was longer than for females of 

 the subsequent generation. The process of puncturing the square and deposit- 

 ing the egg required an average of 6 1/4 minutes for overwintered females and 

 4 1/2 minutes for females of the subsequent generation. Females deposited 

 almost 1 egg per hour at a fairly smooth pace throughout the day starting 

 at about 0800 hr. Apparent peaks were noted between 0900 and 1000 hr, and 

 between 1200 and 1300 hr. The nujiber of eggs deposited per hour was also 

 somewhat reduced in the overwintered generation. 



658. , and Cross, W. H. 1971. Mating of boll weevils in tlie field. J. 

 Econ. Entomol. 64: 73-74. 



Mating habits of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, have been in- 

 vestigated considerably since this Insect entered the United States. Thus, 

 early workers reported that the female weevil required only 1 mating to pro- 

 duce fertile eggs throughout its lifetime, but they did not discount the 

 possibility that multiple piatings occurred in the field. Also, Hunter and 

 Pierce reported that the average duration of copulation was ca. 30 mln. 

 Mayer and Brazzel reported that 1 mating time ranged from 15 to 30 min. In 

 contrast, Bartlett found that the average mating time for a wild strain of 

 boll weevils was 54+3.5 min for i ne 1st matings; the average duration of 

 subsequent matings was the same if the females mated every 4 days. Current 

 Interest in the sterile-male technique of controlling insect pests has gene- 

 rated new interest in the mating habits and utilization of sperm by female 

 Insects. These mechanisms were therefore investigated in the boll weevil in 

 laboratory studies. The present paper reports the results obtained when the 



