130 Annals Entomological Society of America [Vol. XV, 



25 moths under observation was 378, an average of 65 eggs 

 per day for the life of the average female. Our records show 

 that the largest number of eggs was deposited usually the 

 first or second night after capture with a gradual decrease in 

 number nightly until the death of the moth. The largest 

 number laid by one moth in one night was 455, but records of 

 250 were several times obtained. All these moths were con- 

 fined in dry vials and undoubtedly died somewhat sooner 

 than they would have done under natural conditions, but 

 from results obtained in more extensive experiments with other 

 species it is concluded that the total number of eggs produced 

 would not have materially increased with lengthened life. 



The moths follow the usual habit of the genus in dropping 

 their eggs promiscuously while in flight, but it seems that they 

 are not so careful to await nightfall before beginning operations 

 as are many of the other species. Females captured late in 

 the afternoon sometimes dropped several eggs within a few 

 minutes of their capture. 



The larvcE. — In the first two years of work with this species 

 we were entirely unsuccessful in rearing the larvae. Great 

 numbers of active, newly-hatched larvae were placed in the 

 small tin boxes used for rearing other species and supplied with 

 fresh leaves of bluegrass, red and white clover, alfalfa, soy bean, 

 cow pea, wheat, rye, corn, timothy, orchard grass, Muhlen- 

 bergia diffusa, Plantaga lanceolata and Rumex crispus, all of 

 which they consistently refused to touch. Numbers of larvae 

 were transferred to potted plants of corn, rye, oats and blue- 

 grass, but later no trace of their having fed could be found. 

 The flora of the various tracts frequented by the moths was 

 minutely studied in an effort to find some plant common 

 to them all. In several such places the stand was apparently 

 pure bluegrass. No empty cocoons or pupal shells were found 

 by digging about plants where the moths were active. 

 Numerous crambid larvae collected from various places were 

 reared, but none developed into moths of this species. 



In the spring of 1916, however, acting on a clue gained from 

 another species, some of the larvae were put into a box con- 

 taining among other things, a bit of moss. It was seen almost 

 at once that the larvae were attracted to the moss. They 

 fed on it to some extent and one or two of the larvae prepared 



