10 



The pupa is nearly four-fifths of an inch long, shining, and of a 

 reddish brown color. 



The adult. — The boUworm moth, though verj^ readily seen in corn 

 or cotton fields, is recognized by but few planters as the parent of 

 the bollworm. The accompanying figure (fig. 3) may aid in its 

 recognition. 



The moths vary considerably in color and markings, ranging from 

 a dull olive green to nearly white. Some have conspicuous markings, 

 while with others the markings are almost entirely absent. The body 

 is about three-quarters of an inch long, and the wing expanse is 

 about If inches. 



During daytime the moths are seldom seen flying about, but late 

 in the afternoon they come out from their hiding places among the 

 foliage to seek food and deposit their eggs. It may be remarked here 



that the adults are capable of tak- 

 ing liquid food only. During the 

 latter part of the summer this con- 

 sists mainly of nectar secreted by 

 the cotton plants. The moths 

 are also very fond of the nectar 

 secreted by cowpeas and when the 

 latter are present the moths will 

 leave the cotton fields to gather 

 food from this source. It was 

 found, from a large series of ex- 

 periments conducted by Mr. A. A. 

 Girault during the investigations 

 of 1904, that the length of life of 

 the moths depends largely upon 

 the food supply. This also gi-eatly 

 influences the number of eggs deposited. In the experiments re- 

 ferred to above, where no food whatever was given the moths the 

 average length of life was five and one--ourth days, and where sirup 

 was given each day it was twenty-three and two-thirds days. 



Length of life cycle. — The life cycle, from the deposition of the egg 

 to the emergence of the moth, is completed in about thirty days during 

 the summer months. 



FOOD PLANTS. 



The bollworm is practically omnivorous. Its habit of very general 

 feeding is among the difficulties experienced in attempting its control. 

 The plants upon Avhich the larvae have been known to feed number 

 about 70. The principal crops in the United States depredated upon 



290 



Fig. 3. — BoUworm moth in natural position, 

 wings folded. About twice natural size (from 

 Quaintance). 



