The oviposition behavior of Hylotrupes bajulus with regard to the selection of an oviposition site was studied. The orientation of fertilized females towards a pine block and in choice tests (between pine wood and other materials) was observed. In the latter tests certain sensory organs of the beetles were inactivated. Scanning electron photographs were taken of the ovipositor. They show different types of sensilla located on the 9th segment of the ovipositor. The results of the studies of the oviposition orientation suggest that the females follow an odor gradient by means of receptors located on their antennae. The choice of the oviposition site is determined by several organs, presumably by contact chemoreceptors on the antennae and on the ovipositor. The ovipositor obviously provides information on whether or not a crack is suitable as an oviposition site, the surface structure and the size of the crack being the decisive parameters.

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