91 
Some say they are nocturnal, readily attracted to lights, and easily 
destroyed by means of poisoned sweets. Others report observations 
to the contrary. The essential point seemed to be whether the moths 
punctured the fruit themselves or simply took advantage of some 
slight mutilation or an injury from some other insect, especially the 
fruit fly, during oviposition. There was no opportunity to make defi- 
nite observations till the latter part of April, 1901. While en route to 
another farm, near Trapps Valley, Bathurst Division, it was conven- 
ient to stop with Mr. G. W. Smith for the night. On being asked 
whether he had noticed any unusual insect injury the present season, 
he replied that the fruit moth, though not unusual, was doing very 
serious damage to apples. We took a lantern and proceeded to the 
orchard at onee. There were about 50 trees, located along a small 
stream, bearing a light crop of fruit. Numerous specimens of Ser- 
rodes inara Cram. (kindly determined by Mr. C. G. Barrett, London) 
were found, often from one to five on an apple, and searcely a fruit 
could be found that did not show several punctures. The moths 
showed no signs of being disturbed by the presence of the lantern, 
much less attracted to it. Iselected one specimen for study and placed 
the lantern so that every movement could be observed. ‘The proboscis 
had been inserted through a very small round opening, the moth very 
contentedly withdrawing it till the tip was near the surface and then 
by moving the head back and forth rapidly laterally forced it down full 
length into the pulp of the fruit. This was kept up for some time. As 
the moth showed no signs of leaving or changing its position, I pro- 
ceeded to observe numerous others and always with the same result, 
each one feeding quietly and continually withdrawing and inserting 
the proboscis. Several times a moth was seen to alight on an apple, 
but each time it began feeding through one of the several punctures 
“present, which it seemed to detect instantly. A few were seen 
feeding through a slight mutilation or crack in the fruit. <A careful 
examination of the proboscis and the punctures indicated that the 
moths were quite capable of taking care of themselves. No other 
insects were observed on the fruit. The following day not a moth 
could be seen. I examined the grass and bush along the stream with- 
out results. Soon after sundown they again put in their appearance 
and began feeding the same as before, gradually becoming more 
numerous. I kept as many under observation as possible, but they 
showed no intention of making fresh punctures. One specimen was 
finally selected and kept under continual observation. After it had 
been feeding for about thirty minutes it became restless and then, as 
if divining the cause of my devotion, deliberately moved about an 
inch to one side, placed the tip of its proboscis on the surface of the 
apple where I could see clearly that there was no opening, and began 
the same lateral motion of the head as before. With my hand lens I 
could see the two sections of the proboscis working up and down, the 
