On the ability of Ephestia cautella (Walker) to mate in confined spaces in stacks of cocoa

The oviposition behaviour of adults of Ephestia cautella (Walker) which emerge within cocoa stacks was studied using glass tubes of various dimensions to simulate the sizes of spaces which normally occur between bags in a stack. When the moths were able to leave the stack they would do so, but when they were unable to leave the stack they could mate and lay eggs within it unless the size of the space was too small. When mating was not possible only sterile eggs were laid.