Drosophila: Behavioral Cues for Oviposition

Abstract

A randomized block design was used to evaluate factors affecting oviposition by D. melanogaster in a test system providing a minimal set of behavioral cues. Age has no effect in mature females. Oviposition increases with adult density and with cyclic as opposed to constant illumination. Surface texture of the medium has a greater effect on increasing egg deposition in a cyclic light regime.