March, 19^0.] DiCKERSON & WeISS : EVEXING PrIMROSE InSECTS. 51 



margined behind by two small tufts of raised brown scales, as repre- 

 sented in Zeller's figures, and there is another one on the costa not 

 represented in the figure, which again has a minute brown spot in 

 the white at about the basal fourth, which I do not find in my speci- 

 mens. The figure also gives a very distinct white streak which 

 leaves the white of the dorsal margin at the fold and curves to the 

 costal margin before the cilioe; this streak is absent in one of my 

 specimens and much less distinct in the other than it is in the figure. 

 There is a black speck at the hinder angles (indistinct in my speci- 

 mens) and the apex is dusted indistinctly with brown. Al. ex. 5^ 

 lines." 



It is not known just how this species passes the winter nor how 

 early it appears in New Jersey. On August 4, primrose seed cap- 

 sules collected at Egg Harbor, N. J., which is in the southern part 

 of the state, were found to contain small and medium sized larvae. 

 These appeared to have entered the seed capsule at its distal end in 

 the depressed part, although from the character of the injury it 

 seemed as if some had entered the base of the capsule close to the 

 stem. 



Some capsules contained two larvae, but one was the rule. In 

 most cases the larva had confined its attention to the immature seeds 

 in only one or two compartments, such compartments being filled 

 with partly eaten seeds and excrement. Upon reaching maturity, 

 which takes place usually during the last three weeks of August, the 

 larva spins a whitish, elongate cocoon within the capsule compart- 

 ment where it has been feeding, attaching the upper end to the inner 

 side of the outer wall. These cocoons are covered with reddish- 

 brown particles of excrement and are somewhat cigar-shaped. 

 Either after or before spinning the cocoon the larva cuts a circular 

 hole almost to the outside of the capsule. This opening leads to the 

 upper end of the cocoon which is fastened over it and is covered only 

 with a thin film of tissue, which breaks readily and allows the pupa 

 to protrude slightly so as to facilitate the emergence of the adult. 



The exit holes are usually found in the upper half of the seed 

 capsules. From material collected in the southern part of the state 

 we secured adults from the seventh to the last of August. It is 

 likely that all of the moths emerge before cool weather because many 

 of the seed capsules split during Septeml)er and October and allow 



