[Adaptive significance of the ciradian rhythm of oviposition in Drosophilidae: comparison of eight species of the genus Zaprionus].

The circadian rhythm of oviposition under light conditions LD 12:12 was studied in eight species of Zaprionus. Interspecific differences proved to be of little importance. In all cases, the maximum of egg production took place at the beginning of the photophase and egg laying was often restricted to a few hours. Such a rhythm is highly different from that observed, in a previous work, among the Drosophila species of the melanogaster subgroup.