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 boil. This is kept up day after day. 
This method of dieting is, of course, very destructive 
to the crop. Quite a number of boils 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 tructifying. 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- 
ose 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 arule 
you will find these ‘ “big fellows” appropriating 
the larger and more luscious bolls, and leaving 
