THE VEBBENA BUD MOTH. 5 



the progeny of overwintering pupae. On March 30 moths were ob- 

 served flying about a bed of snapdragon that had been severely in- 

 fested the previous summer. At this date the flower buds of snap- 

 dragons were nearly ready to open. 



The moths dart swiftly from plant to plant, but during bright days 

 remain concealed among the plants. Being of a dark color and very 

 small they are inconspicuous and not readily seen without close in- 

 spection. (PI. I, a.) In the late afternoon or when the plants are 

 disturbed the moths become active. 



Oviposition occurs several days after emergence. On April 2 and 

 3 egg laying was observed on the flower buds. The moths invariably 

 seek tender flower shoots upon which to oviposit, but according to 

 observation prefer the sepals of flower buds, particularly those sit- 

 uated high up on the plant. 



The larvae as they emerge from the eggshells feed on the tender 

 sepals and petals or on the flower stalk. At this time it is difficult to 

 locate them. After feeding for a while they become more active and 

 then direct their attacks indiscriminately. Some larvae feed on the 

 sepals and then bore through them, entering the flower and attack- 

 ing the ovary. Others feed on the petals, stamens, and pistils of the 

 flowers, finally reaching the ovaries. The flower stalk may be 

 attacked by the larvae, which first mine beneath the epidermis and 

 feed on the juices. Later they may bore into the center of the 

 stalk. (PI. II, a.) They thus give the impression of being able to 

 adapt themselves to many modes of feeding. The seed capsules 

 formed by flowers which have escaped the ravages of the newly 

 hatched larvae are later vigorously attacked by those half grown. 

 (PI. III.) The larvae that bore into the seed capsules continue to 

 feed on the seed within, going from one seed capsule to another, 

 until they have attained their growth. The capsules thus attacked 

 are easily recognized by the small orifices at the base or side and 

 by the excremental castings on the surface. In many instances two 

 such capsules are webbed together by larvae migrating from one 

 capsule to another. The larvae are easily alarmed and when dis- 

 turbed have the interesting habit of thrusting out their heads, and 

 sometimes in their alarm they wriggle out completely, dropping to 

 the ground. 



Under laboratory conditions the life cycle occupies 43 days, as 

 follows : 



Egg deposited March 2, 1913 Egg state, 8 days. 



Larvae hatched March 10, 1913 .• Larval state, 21 days. 



Pupated March 31, 1913 Pupal state, 14 days. 



Adult April 14, 1913 Life cycle, 43 days. 



