Synopsis

Bean beetles, Callosobruchus maculatus, are agricultural pest insects of Africa and Asia. Females lay their eggs on the surface of beans (Family Fabaceae). The choice of prey bean is the most important choice a female makes for her offspring, as it will influence their growth, survival, and future reproduction. In this study, students design and conduct experiments to evaluate whether female bean beetles respond to the potential for competition among their offspring. The experiments will address three questions: In bean beetle populations, who are potential competitors of a femaleís offspring? Do female bean beetles attempt to minimize competition among their offspring? What are the underlying assumptions of the hypothesis that females attempt to minimize competition among their offspring?

Topic: Intraspecific competition

Level: Introductory majors – Upper-level majors

Class time: one 2-3 hour class period, plus 1 hour class period 48 hours later, 15 minutes daily for 2 weeks about 4 weeks later