Eggs - A Start to Insect Life

Oviparity is an important type of reproduction in insects. Majority of the insect species start life outside their mother s body in the egg stage. Insect eggs comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Various types of eggs is dealt in an elaborate fashion for a clear understanding of the ovipositional behaviour in insects. This book highlights the concepts of egg cannibalism, egg diapause and egg guarding behaviour in insects. Light is also shed about the pheromones which may function either as ovipositional stimulant or deterrent. A thorough knowledge about the various concepts in oviposition would help in a larger way to develop management strategies involving the use of biological control agents, i.e. predators and parasitoids, focussed on the egg stage which is highly vulnerable, and moreover, the target cannot try to escape behaviourally.