1909] REIFF — BROWN-TAIL MOTH 117 
males. Besides, the normal flying time of the males (June 29-J uly 30) is shown by 
the table to be nearly twice as long as that of the females (July 5—July 22). On this 
account the males have much more frequent opportunities to fly to light, aside from 
the fact that the males are produced in greater quantity than the females.— Only 
thirteen male specimens of the aberration punctigera Teich flew to the light. 
It has often been said that the females of the brown-tail moth are attracted 
to electric lights in only very small numbers. The statistics obtained this year which 
if have given, show, however, that the attraction of females is dependent in great 
measure upon the weather conditions which prevail during the flying time, so that 
it may be different in successive years, and a proportion applicable to all years cannot 
be given. ‘The foregoing table shows that the proportion of males to females for the 
flying period of 1909 is about 4:1, but the proportion of males and females on single 
days is extremely variable. ‘Thus while the unpleasant 18th of July shows the great- 
est preponderance of males over females (21:0), the pleasant night of July 13th 
attracted the sexes in the ratio of 1.2:1. The 14th and 17th of July were also favor- 
able for the flying of females and although the combined number of both sexes at- 
tracted on these nights was not much above the average, the ratio of males to 
females was 1.8:1 and 2:1 respectively. 
I had the opportunity of observing a similarly favorable proportion of the two 
sexes about electric lights at Raymond, N. H., on the 17th of July, in a locality which 
had been badly damaged by the brown-tail moth. Although I do not know exactly 
what the temperature and pressure were at Raymond on the night of the 17th, the 
thermometer probably registered about 22°-23° C. and the barometer in the neighbor- 
hood of about 29.70. In addition the moon was new and the air still and dry. Im- 
mediately after dark both males and females came flying to the electric light in enor- 
mous numbers. ‘lhe flight of each individual lasted for hardly a minute, for they 
almost immediately searched for a resting place close to the light, either on the light 
pole or the wires leading to the light. Here the most noticeable feature was the 
abundance of pairs in copulation; hardly had a female settled when she would be sur- 
rounded by numerous males seeking to unite with her. The female very quickly 
made her selection and remained with her mate during the whole night in the bright 
light. Even on the following morning, numerous pairs could be observed in the 
same places. As nearly as I could make out, every female which came to the light 
paired with a male, at least not one single female was observed which was not in 
copulation. ‘The moths stopped coming to the light at about eleven o’clock. An 
exact count of the specimens could not be undertaken on account of the great 
abundance of the species, and also because many specimens on trees surrounding the 
