Oviposition-behavior
Guides
Amauromyza flavifrons
A leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, Amauromyza flavifrons is notable for documented cases of rapid evolutionary change in host plant selection. Populations have been observed to evolve avoidance behavior toward novel hosts, specifically sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), when local exposure creates fitness costs. This makes the species a studied example of contemporary evolution in plant-insect interactions.
Anthocoris nemoralis
Orchard Bug, Pear Bug
Anthocoris nemoralis is a predatory true bug in the family Anthocoridae, native to Europe and introduced to North America. It serves as a dominant natural enemy of pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyri) in European pear orchards and is commercially reared for biological pest control. Adults are approximately 3 mm long, predominantly black with distinctive white markings on the wings. The species exhibits temperature-insensitive predation efficiency, with females demonstrating higher attack rates and shorter handling times than males.
Anthocoris nemorum
Common Flowerbug
Anthocoris nemorum is a predatory anthocorid bug native to Europe, commonly known as the common flowerbug. It is an important biological control agent in orchards and agricultural systems, preying on aphids, psyllids, mites, and other small arthropods. The species exhibits distinct oviposition preferences, laying eggs primarily on apple leaves near leaf margins, and shows preference for damaged leaves over healthy ones. Multiple generations occur annually, with adults overwintering and reproducing in spring.
Aphidecta
larch ladybird, larch ladybug
Aphidecta is a genus of Coccinellidae (ladybird beetles) containing at least one well-documented species, A. obliterata, commonly known as the larch ladybird. Members are specialized predators of conifer-infesting adelgids and aphids. The genus has been the subject of biological control research, particularly for management of balsam woolly aphid.
Aphidecta obliterata
larch ladybird, larch ladybug, Larch Lady Beetle
Aphidecta obliterata is a small ladybird beetle (3.5–5 mm) native to Europe, with introduced populations in North America. It is a specialized predator of conifer-infesting aphids and adelgids, particularly associated with spruce and larch. The species exhibits remarkable color polymorphism, ranging from tan to brown with pinkish tints to nearly black. Multiple unsuccessful attempts were made to introduce it to eastern Canada as a biological control agent for the balsam woolly aphid (Adelges piceae) beginning in 1941. Females demonstrate sophisticated oviposition behavior, using conspecific larval tracks and egg-surface chemicals to avoid sites with high cannibalism risk.
Apocephalus
ant-decapitating flies, scuttle flies (informal)
Apocephalus is a genus of phorid flies comprising at least 300 described species, commonly known as ant-decapitating flies. Species within this genus are primarily parasitoids of ants, with females laying eggs in hosts that subsequently develop into larvae that consume the host from within, often resulting in host decapitation. The genus has gained particular attention due to Apocephalus borealis, which parasitizes honey bees and causes aberrant nocturnal behavior leading to hive abandonment. Several species groups have been taxonomically revised, including the mucronatus group and subgenus Mesophora, with numerous new species described in recent decades.
Battus philenor
pipevine swallowtail, blue swallowtail
Battus philenor, commonly known as the pipevine swallowtail or blue swallowtail, is a North American swallowtail butterfly distinguished by its iridescent blue hindwings and aposematic black coloration. The species is chemically defended throughout all life stages through sequestration of aristolochic acids from its obligate host plants in the genus Aristolochia. Females exhibit sophisticated host discrimination behavior, selecting plants based on leaf quality and bud characteristics. The butterfly serves as a model for Batesian mimicry by several palatable butterfly species. Populations in central California have shown resilience to drought conditions, contrasting with declines in montane butterfly faunas.
Battus philenor philenor
Pipevine Swallowtail, Blue Swallowtail
Battus philenor philenor is a subspecies of the pipevine swallowtail butterfly found in North America. Adults display iridescent blue hindwings against a black background, serving as aposematic warning coloration derived from sequestered aristolochic acids from their host plants. The subspecies is univoltine to bivoltine with flight periods from late winter through autumn, peaking before July. Populations have shown resilience to drought conditions in California's Central Valley, in contrast to montane butterfly declines.
Brachymesia
Tropical Pennants
Brachymesia is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae, commonly known as tropical pennants. The genus contains multiple species distributed across the Americas, with B. gravida restricted to the United States and other species occurring throughout South America, the West Indies, and southern USA states. One species, B. herbida, has been studied in insular populations where it exhibits distinct behavioral patterns compared to sympatric libellulids.
Ceraeochrysa cincta
Ceraeochrysa cincta is a green lacewing species in the family Chrysopidae, distributed across the Americas from North America through the Caribbean to South America. Laboratory studies demonstrate its potential as a biological control agent, with larvae showing instar-specific predatory preferences on prey eggs. Populations in southeast Brazilian agroecosystems exhibit high genetic diversity with broad gene flow across different crop systems. The species produces non-pedunculated infertile eggs in later generations under laboratory conditions, a trait relevant to mass rearing programs.
Coelocephalapion aculeatum
Coelocephalapion aculeatum is a flower-feeding weevil in the family Brentidae (formerly Apionidae) that specializes on the invasive weed Mimosa pigra. Females exhibit selective oviposition behavior based on host inflorescence developmental stage and conspecific damage levels. Larval development occurs entirely within host flowers, with survival rates varying significantly according to inflorescence maturity. The species has been investigated as a potential biological control agent for M. pigra in regions where this plant is invasive.
Ennomos subsignaria
Elm Spanworm Moth
Ennomos subsignaria is a geometrid moth native to North America, commonly known as the elm spanworm moth. Adults have a wingspan of 35–40 mm and fly from late May to August, with one generation per year. The species is a generalist herbivore whose larvae feed on elm, apple, birch, maple, and oak. Research has documented its clumped intra-tree distribution on mature sycamore maple, with oviposition concentrated on the lower bole and larval development progressing from proximal to distal branches of the lower crown.
Euphydryas chalcedona chalcedona
Chalcedon Checkerspot
Euphydryas chalcedona chalcedona is a subspecies of checkerspot butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The larvae are oligophagous, feeding primarily on plants in the Scrophulariaceae family including Diplacus aurantiacus and Scrophularia californica. Populations show geographic variation in host plant use and specialization, with some colonies being monophagous on single Penstemon species while others use multiple hosts. The subspecies has been the subject of extensive research on insect-plant coevolution, host preference, and population biology.
Hybrizon
Hybrizon is a genus of small parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Hybrizontinae. Members are specialized ant parasitoids that attack ant larvae transported by worker ants. The genus was historically classified variably, previously placed in Braconidae or treated as a separate family, and the subfamily was formerly known as Paxylommatinae. Oviposition behavior involves females grasping ant larvae with their fore legs while exserting the ovipositor.
Kytorhinus
Kytorhinus is a genus of seed beetles in the subfamily Bruchinae, family Chrysomelidae. The genus includes species that are specialized seed predators of leguminous plants. Kytorhinus sharpianus, the most studied species, exhibits complex multivoltine life cycles with photoperiodically induced larval diapause and shows female-biased sex ratios in field populations. Adults are small beetles that oviposit on host plant pods, with larvae developing inside seeds.
Liriomyza helianthi
Liriomyza helianthi is a leaf-mining fly in the family Agromyzidae, described by Spencer in 1981. The species is a specialist herbivore whose larvae feed internally on leaf tissue, creating characteristic mines. Research has demonstrated strong female oviposition preference for its normal host Helianthus annuus (sunflower) compared to novel host plants, with larval performance generally correlating with this preference pattern. The species has potential significance as a pest of cultivated sunflower and related Asteraceae crops.
Lygus rugulipennis
European Tarnished Plant Bug
Lygus rugulipennis is a small plant bug in the family Miridae, commonly known as the European tarnished plant bug. It is a widespread polyphagous pest with an exceptionally broad host range, documented on over 400 plant species across 57 families. The species is native to the Palaearctic region but has been introduced to North America. It is economically significant as a pest of alfalfa, clover, potato, cereals, sugar beet, and various other crops, causing damage through feeding on plant tissues.
Microterys
Microterys is a large genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Encyrtidae (Chalcidoidea), with its center of distribution in the northern parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Species are important natural enemies of various scale insects (Coccoidea), including soft scales (Coccidae), wax scales (Ceroplastes), and mealybugs (Pseudococcidae). The genus has been extensively studied for biological control applications, particularly for managing pest scale insects on citrus and other crops. Several species have been introduced to new regions as biocontrol agents, including Microterys flavus in California.
Neomegalotomus
Neomegalotomus is a genus of broad-headed bugs in the family Alydidae, established in 1998. The genus contains at least two described species: N. parvus and N. rufipes. Most biological knowledge derives from studies of N. parvus, a Neotropical pest of legume crops. The genus is characterized by broad head morphology typical of Alydidae and is associated with Fabaceae hosts.
Omphalocera
snout moths
Omphalocera is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Galleriinae. The genus was established by Julius Lederer in 1863 and contains three described species. Larvae of at least one species, Omphalocera munroei, exhibit group-feeding behavior, a trait that distinguishes this genus ecologically from many solitary-feeding pyralids.
Oncopsis
Oncopsis is a genus of leafhoppers in the family Cicadellidae, subfamily Macropsinae. The genus is characterized by pronotal striations that run parallel to the hind margin. Species occur across the Holarctic region, with documented diversity in Europe, Asia, and North America. Many species exhibit strong host plant specificity, particularly for trees in the families Betulaceae and Corylaceae.
Ptilophorus wrightii
Engineered wedge-shaped Beetle
Ptilophorus wrightii is a wedge-shaped beetle in the family Ripiphoridae, first described by LeConte in 1868. The species was historically known from the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) and Mexico, with first records from Colorado and Oklahoma documented in 2014. The specific epithet honors General W.W. Wright, Chief Engineer of the Union Pacific Railway survey during which the species was collected.
Rhyssa lineolata
Rhyssa lineolata is a species of ichneumonid wasp in the genus Rhyssa. The species has been documented in North America with records from Canada (Edmonton, George L) and the United States (Vermont). A photographic study has documented its host location and oviposition mechanisms, indicating it is a parasitoid wasp that locates hosts and deposits eggs using specialized behaviors. Like other members of the genus Rhyssa, it is presumed to be associated with wood-boring hosts, though specific host records for this species were not available in the consulted sources.
Stenotus
plant bug
Stenotus is a genus of plant bugs in the family Miridae, comprising species that are primarily associated with grasses and cereal crops. The genus includes notable agricultural pests, particularly Stenotus rubrovittatus (sorghum plant bug or pecky rice bug), which causes significant damage to rice and other Poaceae. Species in this genus exhibit specialized host plant relationships and distinct reproductive behaviors tied to plant phenology.
Supella longipalpa
brown-banded cockroach, brownbanded cockroach, TV roach
Supella longipalpa, commonly known as the brown-banded cockroach, is a small synanthropic pest of presumed African origin that has become established in human-built structures worldwide. It is notable for pronounced sexual dimorphism: males are slender with long, functional wings and are capable of flight, while females are broader with short, non-functional wings. The species completes its entire life cycle indoors and shows distinct behavioral preferences for warmer, drier locations compared to other domestic cockroaches, often inhabiting furniture, appliances, and upper wall areas.
Veigaia
Veigaia is a genus of soil-dwelling mites in the family Veigaiidae (order Mesostigmata). The genus is one of the most ubiquitous in the Holarctic Region, with approximately 40 described species distributed across Europe, Asia, and North America. Detailed behavioral studies exist for Veigaia cerva, which exhibits a complex five-phase oviposition process involving rhythmic gnathosomal movements and precise egg positioning using chelicerae and appendages.