89 



THE ADULT. 



EMERGENCE. 



The method of emergence of thejiioth has been already referred to 

 under the discussion of the pupa. Under normal conditions the pupa, 

 resting at the lower end of its subterranean burrow, splits the pupa 

 case along the median dorsal line of the thorax, and the moth, escap- 

 ing, with still unexpanded wings crawls up to the top of the burrow. 

 Here it must break through the thin wall of earth before reaching the 

 surface of the soil. The moths are very strong and have no trouble 

 in loosening a piece of the thin crust, making an aperture through 

 which they accomplish their exit. The openings through which two 

 moths have emerged are shown on Plate XIV, figure 1. Once out, the 

 moth is perfect, with the exception that the wings are unexpanded (see 

 PI. XIV, fig. 2). After a few minutes the wings have become extended 

 to their full size, and several hours later the moth is able to fly (PI. 

 XIV, figs. 4 and 5). If disturbed before the wings are strong enough 

 for flight, the moths are very active and can run about with surprising 

 agility. 



There is a well-marked tendency among moths toward emerging 

 during the night and very early morning. About twenty appear dur- 

 ing these parts of the day, compared to six which come out later. 



DESCRIPTION OF MOTH. 



As has been already mentioned in the earlier pages of this bulletin, 

 the boll worm moth is extremely variable in color and markings (see 

 PI. XV). Of the five varieties there enumerated, but two, or possi- 

 bly three, have been met with in Texas. The commonest variety is 

 ochracea Ckll., thirtj^-five in a lot of sixty -five being referable to it, 

 some of them very dark in color and apparently approaching the 

 European fusca Ckll. The remaining thirty are variety umhrosa 

 Grote. 



Individuals belonging to these different forms have been reared from 

 eggs deposited b}^ the same female, and there can be no doubt that 

 the}^ interbreed with perfect freedom. 



In ochracea the wings have an ochraceous or reddish tinge which is 

 often quite coppery in very dark moths. The hind wings are always 

 rather strongly marked, the apical band very distinct, and the wing 

 veins usually lined with black. The front wings have in the darker 

 specimens a very distinct transverse dark band, but in lighter indi- 

 viduals this is often scarcely at all evident. The stigmal spot is often 

 absent and never strongly marked. Beneath, the wings have a subapical 

 cross-band, less distinct on the hind wings, and a very distinct sub- 

 lunate spot. 



