FemaleAnthonomus grandis grandisBoheman prefer to oviposit in cotton flower buds that are pristine. Laboratory studies showed that they laid ca. 4-fold more eggs in pristine squares than in previously oviposited squares with the ovipositional nipple exposed and 2-fold more eggs in pristine squares than in previously oviposited squares with the ovipositional nipple concealed. Field observations showed that females failed to oviposit in 81% of squares that contained ovipositional punctures, 62% of squares that were otherwise damaged, and 15% of pristine squares encountered. Discriminatory behavior began to break down after a female encountered three to four damaged squares. Laboratory tests indicated that both physical and chemical signals are involved in the discriminatory behavior.