The presence of larvae in cowpea seeds affects the number of eggs laid and seed choice for oviposition by females of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). Gravid females can discriminate between seeds with differing number of larvae before oviposition. Seeds bearing no larva or few larvae were preferred for oviposition to those bearing greater number of larvae. In addition, seeds bearing younger larvae were preferred for oviposition to those bearing older larvae. The results are discussed in relation to observations on oviposition behaviour of C. maculatus reported by earlier workers.
