Observations on the oviposition, egg development and fecundity of Onychiurus (Onychiurus) folsomi at constant temperature

Cultrues of Onychiurus (Onychiurus) folsomi were reared at 10.0, 15.5, 21.1 and 26.6 degree C and fed brewer's yeast. Observations on oviposition, egg cannibalism, egg development and fecundity were recorded. Onychiurus folsomi takes, on the average, 2 min to lay an egg. The process is similar to that described by other investigators for the genus. A close relationship between temperature and egg stage duration was demonstrated. The optimum laboratory temperature for O. folsmi was between 15.5 and 21.1 degree C. Fecundity in mass reared cultures was low during the first week of oviposition, followed by a large increase and a gradual decline in succeeding weeks.