REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 281 



reason it has not been observed more often at that season of the year is 

 that it occurs in small numbers and that very few observers have thor- 

 oughly searched for it at that time. That moths are present and ovipos- 

 iting on the cotton very soon after the young plants emerge from the 

 ground has already been shown in the section on the first appearance 

 of the worms. 



Our conclusions are that the species does not hibernate as a pupa, 

 but that in certain portions of our cotton belt the species does hibernate 

 as a moth. The number of moths, however, which survive the winter 

 is very small compared with the number of pupae of the last brood of 

 the previous season. 



It is probable that of those moths which mature before frosts sufficiently 

 heavy to destroy the pupae occur, only the more vigorous individuals, 

 and of them especially those which choose unusually-protected situa- 

 tions for their winter quarters, are able to survive the winter.* 



As to localities in which the species hibernates, we conclude from the 

 data drawn from a study of the past history of the insect that in the 

 following-named places the moth usually survives the winter : 



Texas. — Principally in the Colorado and Brazos bottoms, as far north 

 as Grimes County and as far south as Victoria ; occasionally as far north 

 as Cherokee, possibly to Upshur, though not probable. 



Louisiana. — The southeastern parishes along the river^ — East and West 

 Feliciana, East Baton Eouge, and Iberville; possibly Saint Landry, 

 Avoyelles, Concordia and neighborhood. 



Mississippi. — The southwestern counties, near the river — ^Wilkinson, 

 Adams, Amite, &c. 



Alabama. — Principally in the "cane-brake" region; possibly in the 

 southeastern counties, along the Chattahoochee. 



Florida. — Principally in those northern counties near the Appalachi- 

 cola — Gadsden, Jackson, Leon, &c. ; possibly in adjoining cotton-grow- 

 ing counties. 



Georgia. — Southwestern counties — Decatur, &c., along the Flint and 

 Chattahoochee; in former years probably in the Sea Islands and coast 

 counties. 



INFLUENCE OF WEATHER. 



It seems curious that observers should be so divided in opinion as they 

 are concerning so simiDle a point as whether a mild or a severe winter 

 is the more apt to be followed by a bad worm-season. Of the corre- 

 spondents of the department, some hold one view, others the directly 

 opposite opinion, while still others state that the degree of severity of 

 the winter makes no difference whatever with the extent of the ravages 

 the succeeding season. Those holding the last view base their opinion 

 on the fact that they have actully known disastrous worm-seasons to 

 follow cold and warm winters indiscriminately, t 



Those holding the opposing views referred to also claim to found their 

 opinions upon actual experience. The advocates of the view that a 

 severe winter will be followed by the worm give as their explanation the 

 fact that during warm winters the moths come forth from their hibernat- 

 ing quarters and die of hunger, whereas while in winter quarters and in 

 the true state of hibernating somnolency not only is no food necessary, 

 but they are less exposed to dangers of all kinds which would assail 

 them if they flew out, attracted by sunshiny weather. The upholders 



*For a full discussion of the theory of migrations of the moth, see special report, pp 

 100-121. 

 t This fact has been used as an argument for the migration theory. 



