Oviposition is the process by which an animal lays eggs. In gardening and plant protection, the term is most commonly used when describing insects depositing eggs on, within, or near plants.
Many insects have specialized structures called ovipositors that allow them to place eggs in specific locations. Some species lay eggs on leaf surfaces, while others insert them into stems, fruits, buds, roots, or even inside plant tissue. The location of oviposition often determines where feeding damage will later occur when the eggs hatch.
Understanding oviposition is important in pest management because control measures are often most effective before eggs hatch. Signs of oviposition can include small punctures, scars, swellings, or clusters of eggs attached to plant surfaces.
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