186 COTTON 



and quite similar to the cotton worm egg, though a 

 little larger in size. From a couple of days to a 

 week are required for incubation. 



The larva is somewhat darker than the cotton 

 worm, and assumes the same general appearance 

 in walking. Its first feeding is done near the place 

 where it was hatched ; as it grows in strength (and 

 this it does in a surprisingly short time), it wanders 

 about seeking what is more acceptable to its ap- 

 petite the cotton boll. It seems that the contents 

 of the cotton boll favor its development, since the 

 boll worm seldom reaches full growth upon a diet 

 of leaves alone. 



When a boll is at last found, it begins its work by 

 boring into it, feasting upon it, and then abandoning 

 it for another boll. This is kept up day after day. 

 This method of dieting is, of course, very destructive 

 to the crop. Quite a number of bolls may be 

 destroyed by each individual worm. More yet to 

 be said against its spendthrift habits is its constant 

 unreasonableness in attacking premature blooms, 

 which of course prevents them from further de- 

 velopment, and consequently incapacitates them 

 for fructifying. This much must be said in its 

 favor, however; this policy is not wanton de- 

 struction, for it makes food of the stamen and 

 pistils of the blooms in satisfying its greedy appe- 

 tite. 



Their feeding habits indicate that these insects 

 are not altogether harmonious and agreeable in 

 their pursuits, for the stronger and older ones im- 

 pose constantly on the younger and weaker, even to 

 the extent of eating them when vegetable food is 

 scarce, or not altogether to their liking. As a rule 

 you will find these "big fellows" appropriating 

 the larger and more luscious bolls, and leaving 



