Physical and Chemical Stimuli Affecting Oviposition Preference of Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)

Water vapor, free moisture, odor, and touch stimulated oviposition by the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (L.). Moist sites with an attractive odor were more attractive than dry sites. Combinations of stimuli were always more effective than a single factor. When squash and bean plants were offered, the spiny squash leaves were always preferred to the relatively smooth bean leaves.