128 Annals Entomological Society of America [Vol. XV, 



both of which have repeatedly proved themselves capable of 

 becoming pests of considerable importance. No adults were 

 reared directly from the larvae which caused the Ohio damage. 

 Runner (1914) lists this species as of economic importance, but 

 apparently bases his statement on the foregoing record and 

 furnishes no additional evidence. Felt (1906) also blackens its 

 character on the same flimsy basis, but until new evidence 

 can be produced the verdict must be "not guilty." 



HABITS OF THE MOTHS. 



In Tennessee the moths have been found only on lands 

 which have been devoted to grass for some years, such as 

 parks, permanent pastures and meadows. They occur on 

 rolling, well-drained, and sometimes rather damp land, either 

 open or with scattering large trees, but never on high or dry 

 knolls. They do not appear to be generally distributed over 

 a district, but seem closely confined to certain small areas 

 varying in size from a few yards to two or three acres. During 

 the early part of their season no moths occur outside these 

 areas, but toward the close of their period of flight they become 

 somewhat more diffused. Observations show that these infested 

 areas remain the same from year to year. For some time no 

 explanation could be offered for this fact but when it was found 

 that the larvae, especially in the early stages, can subsist only 

 on certain mosses, it appears that the presence of these essential 

 food plants is the factor determining both the abundance 

 and exact distribution of the species. 



The moths are easily flushed at any time of day, fly in a 

 rather direct line for four to ten yards and alight abruptly, 

 always head up, sometimes on a broad-leaved plant, but 

 preferably on a grass stem. When blue grass is present they 

 often choose its more or less pendulous heads and when so 

 resting are very inconspicuous. Occasionally moths which 

 have been flushed several times will feign death and often 

 when struck down with a net they remain motionless until 

 touched. 



In our collections the males greatly predominate, especially 

 at the first appearance of the moths. Apparently the males 

 emerge somewhat earlier than the females and the following 



