Ovipositional preference of Deois schach in relation to different host species and soil types

Abstract

The objetive of this work was to determine the ovipositional behaviour of Deois schach F. (1787) and to evaluate the ovipositional preference of this pest on different host species and soils types under free choice conditions. It was observed that 73% of the eggs were deposited in the soil and 27% within the leaf sheaths in decomposition. Paspalum notatum was prefered as host with 95% of eggs deposited, compared to Brachiaria decumbens. Between the sandy and clayey soils compared, 85% of the oviposition was observed in the latter.