Week11 PP

Success for the offspring of the azuki bean weevils are determined by the oviposition preferences of the female bean weevil. The choice of the female determines the food source for the larvae, and because following pupation, the beetle does not consume food or water for the rest of its life, the initial decision is crucial. In experiments that test for preferences, it was found that the azuki bean weevil had a high preference for the cowpea legume out of five beans- cowpea, mung bean, azuki bean, kidney bean, and soybean. The number of eggs per cowpea when the female was given a choice revealed roughly 6 eggs per female on the cowpea, and zero eggs per female on the kidney bean. Those laid on cowpeas revealed a reduced developmental and adult emergence rate, suggesting that the choice was beneficial to offspring success.