Previous studies have shown, through periodic sampling, that more eggs of the polyphagous predator Coleomegilla maculata are found on certain plant species than others.� It has been unclear, however, whether these differences in C. maculata egg densities primarily reflect ovipositional preference for certain plant species or different rates of disappearance of eggs due to predation.� Our objective was to answer this question.� We used sweet corn plots because large numbers of adult C. maculata colonize this crop.� We first determined the diel periodicity of C. maculata oviposition in order to concentrate our efforts during the period of peak daily oviposition.� Beetles were then presented with two plant species: velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti), a species that possesses glandular trichomes, and smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus), a species void of glandular trichomes.� Equal numbers of these plants were simultaneously observed in the field between noon and 7 P.M. EDT, and all observed ovipositions were recorded.� A total of 16 trials produced 30 observations of oviposition, all of which occurred on A. theophrasti.� Thus, previously reported observations of greater numbers of C. maculata eggs on A. theophrasti and other plants with glandular trichomes, compared to plants with few or no trichomes, appear to reflect a true ovipositional preference for plants with glandular trichomes.