June, 1922.] Leiby: Biology OF Gnorimoschema. 87 



Emergence, Mating and Oviposition of Moths: The moths emerge 

 from the galls at night through their previously prepared exit holes. 

 In some instances moths for some reason or other, probably because 

 of an improperly prepared exit hole, are unable to escape from the 

 galls. 



Female moths begin to deposit eggs within four or five days after 

 emergence when they have been previously confined with males. The 

 eggs are deposited singly, although two or three may be placed close 

 together and perhaps mass-like in actual contact with each other. 

 These are placed on both surfaces of a leaf but usually on the under 

 side and preferably on one that is dried; and on the stems among the 

 hairs. During oviposition which occurs at night the female is very 

 active, flitting about in cages, crawling up the stem, or jumping from 

 one leaf to another. The placing of an tgg requires from eight to 

 ten seconds and during the process, two segments of the abdomen ordi- 

 narily hidden are extruded, and the tgg emerges from the tip ; mean- 

 while the moth frequently twists or swings the tip of the abdomen from 

 side to side in search of a crevice, such as the point of attachment 

 of a leaf to a stem, or the vein of a leaf, and, finding such a crevice 

 or place against which the abdomen may rest for an instant, the tgg 

 is deposited. As the egg is extruded it appears wet and glistening 

 with a secretion which probably serves to fasten it to the leaf or stem. 

 The moth may fly away, adjust its position only slightly, or merely 

 move the tip of the abdomen before depositing another tgg. An aver- 

 age of about sixty eggs is deposited by one female although one moth 

 deposited a total of ninety-six eggs in an outdoor cheesecloth cage 

 over a period of seven nights. 



During the day the moths rest secluded, apparently hidden by their 

 color resemblance to the dried leaves of the goldenrod, within the 

 curled leaves or among the florets. When disturbed they quickly at- 

 tempt to seclude themselves, and do not fly about for any length of 

 time. 



Moths have been observed to partake of nourishment in the form 

 of sweetened water when placed in indoor cages. It may be this 

 factor which causes females to deposit a greater average number of 

 eggs in indoor cages than under the semi-natural conditions of outdoor 

 cages. 



