**1. Introduction**

The predominant reproductive type of most insects is egg laying, called oviparity. There is limited literature on controlling insect eggs, although eggs are considered the most difficult life stage to kill. Examples of this can be found in both agricultural and urban pest species. Oftentimes, the management strategy is to essentially ignore the eggs, wait for them to hatch, and then treat the nymphs that emerge from the eggs because they are easier to kill. During many treatments, the eggs are left unaccounted for because they are not the nuisance stage (they do not bite or feed) and are not as visible as other stages. However, the eggs left behind that were not killed by the treatment will soon begin to hatch and cause a reinfestation. It may take time before the infestation grows to become a problem again, at which time reevaluation or restart of the treatment may be necessary.

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Insect eggs have adapted mechanisms to enhance their survival, including the enclosure of the embryo within an eggshell. The eggshell, also referred to as the chorion, is the first line of defense for the developing embryo against environmental stressors. One main environmental stressor that pest insect species have to face is human use of pesticides. The unique structure of the eggshell renders most insecticidal products impenetrable through the eggshell.

Insecticides that do penetrate the eggshell have to reach their target site within the embryo to be effective. A few insects have been shown to have developed enzymatic resistance to insecticides in the egg stage. Eggs treated with insecticides repeatedly were shown to produce high levels of enzymatic activity to break down insecticides. The combination of reduced penetration through the eggshell and pesticide resistance makes eggs an extremely difficult life stage to kill.
