Abstract
A simple, small-sized penetrometer was made to investigate the tissue hardness of plant samples in relation to oviposition by the bug Macrolophus caliginosus Wagner. Depth and speed of probe penetration into the tissues were controlled and the reliability of the device was evaluated. The penetrometer was connected to a microcomputer, and force-time curves with characteristic parameters were thus immediately available. This technique allowed us to estimate the hardness of Pelargonium peltatum (L.) tissues. We showed a correlation between M. caliginosus oviposition sites and the hardness of the P. peltatum tissues (between 0.1 and 0.2 Newton), indicating that hardness should be a choice criterion in this range of values. Below 0.1 Newton, no correlation appeared: the tissues were tender enough to allow oviposition. Above 0.2 Newton, few eggs were laid.
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