once or twice. The female will be unable to escape when you open the bag 

 to introduce the food, if you are careful. Drop apple without removing the 

 old pieces. 



TIME REQUIRED FOR EGG LAYING. 



Different species lay their eggs in different periods of time. Some oviposit 

 within a few days, others require weeks. Some will begin laying within twenty- 

 iour hours after being placed in confinement, others will not begin laying for 

 a considerable number of days. The principal objects of butterfly and moth 

 life appears to be the propagation of their species and the beautifying of the 

 world by their marvelous colorings. The poetical idea that the butterfly leads 

 an idle life is entirely erroneous. It flits from flower to flower to sip nectar for 

 its sustenance; it flies hither and thither to find its mate; and during the process 

 of egg laying it may fly miles searching for proper leaves and suitable places 

 to deposit its eggs. Most species die when the egg laying period ceases. Like 

 all other rules in entomology this rule has exception. Few positive statements 

 can be made regarding insects which do not have exceptions. As a rule, an 

 almost invariable rule, you know when your moth or butterfly has deposited all 

 its eggs, for you will find it lying dead in the box or bag. 



FORMS AND COLORS OF EGGS. 



The forms, colors and sizes of eggs are so varied that you can only learn 

 them by observation. Be sure and have a good lens or magnifying glass for 

 this purpose and each day will furnish surprises which will call forth exclama- 

 tions of delight. Eggs are round,, ovoid, globular, hemispherical, cylindrical, 

 biscuit shaped, thimble shaped, flat, oblong, long, slender, subconic, like a cone, 

 wafer, barrel or turban. They may be smooth, ribbed, bristly, covered with a 

 net-work 01' cells in all manner of geometric forms, may appear like hammered 

 brass or silver, may be very plain or be wonderfully carved, etched and orna- 

 mented. In color, they are white, opaque, pearly, brown, lead colored, golden, 

 pink, green, yellow, blue and all tints and shades imaginable. The experienced 

 entomologist can frequently tell from the form, color and shape of the egg the 

 name of the family and possibly of the species it represents. 



HOW EGGS ARE DEPOSITED. 



The female moth must deposit her eggs whether she has mated or not. 

 The embryos lie in her abdomen and at maturity ripen rapidly and must be de- 

 posited. The pressure of the ripe eggs simply compel egg-laying. There is a 

 small pocket or pouch near the end of her abdomen which is filled with a fluid, 

 if she has mated, and this fluid touches each egg as it passes out and it becomes 

 fertilized. If in freedom the moth may glue her eggs one at a time on the upper 

 or under side of a leaf. Frequently they are laid in rows,, or in a number o. ! 

 rows placed side by side with geometric regularity so as to form a little beaded 

 mat. They may be laid in clusters or bands around the stem of the food- 

 plant, may be strung in rows or chains or piled in heaps. They may be dotted 

 here and there on bark or in its crevices, or may be on stumps, boards, walls, 

 fences and under chips and stones. In boxes and bags eggs are deposited on 

 top, bottom and sides in various manners. While feeding take great care not 

 to disturb eggs which are on underside of the cover, if you are using slide boxes. 



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