116 



ELEMENTARY STUDIES IN INSECT LIFE 



another pair of stamens and repeat, the operation of egg- 

 laying. In this way she places five or six eggs in the 

 ovaries of this flower. After depositing each egg s ] ie 

 ascends the pistil, and with the same motion, working 



Fio. 100. Female Pronuba moth thrusting her tentacles and proboscis into the 

 stigmatic opening, rubbing off pollen, thus bringing about fertilization of the lily. 

 Photographed by flashlight from life, in the field, about 9:00 P. M. 



her head vigorously (mostly np and down), places more 

 pollen in the stigmatic tnhe. During all this time she 

 is so intent upon the work that one can observe her 

 closely with the aid of a lantern. The moths begin this 

 work shortly after dark, and continue at work about an 

 hour. 



