92 



tips alternately striking the surface of the fruit and gradually effect- 

 ing an entrance. No sooner was the opening nicely started than the 

 moth quickly returned to the former puncture, as if to say, "More 

 juice and less work." 



This observation confirms the published statement by C. G. Barrett, 

 who records the observations of his sister residing in the colony. 

 (Entomologists' Monthly Magazine, June, 1900, pp. 140-144; Juh', 

 1900, p. 163; September, 1900, pp. 207, 208; also Entomologists' Record 

 and Journal of Variation, July 1, p. 193, and October 15, p. 267. 1900; 

 Nature, May 31, 1900, report of meeting of Entomological Society.) 



The same moth was kept under close observation from 9 to 11. 30 p. m. , 

 during which time it did not leave the puncture, but fed continually. 



The moths do not make a single straight channel, but force the 

 proboscis down at different angles, thus producing a conical injury 

 one-half inch or more in altitude, penetrated by numerous very fine 

 channels. The tip of the proboscis is black, very hard, finelj^ pointed, 

 and provided with spines, which seem to serve the purj)ose of rasping 

 the pulp of the fruit, thus enabling it to be drawn up with tlie exud- 

 ing juice. The fruit in the vicinity of the puncture is verj- pliable. 

 On removing the surface layer the injured portion is seen to be quite 

 hollow. 



Apples do not decay speedily, but remain for some time, the slight 

 decay perhaps rendering them the more readily detected hy the moths. 



Wliile feeding the wings were usuallj^ in a horizontal position and 

 motionless. At 'Other times there was a slight but distinct rapid 

 vibration. In some cases the wings were slightly elevated, occasion- 

 all}" vibrating as stated above. 



On one occasion an egg seemed to drop from the ovipositor. I took 

 precautions to secure any additional ones, but obtained nothing but 

 small drops of liquid; found no trace of the eggs. I dissected a 

 number of females, and in one found three light green eggs, ribbed 

 very much like those of Helioihis armiger Hbn., but flatter and 

 somewhat larger. 



I revisited the orchard about half an hour before daj'break and 

 found the moths still abundant and feeding as contentedly as before. 

 Just at dawn the}' gradually disappeared. I singled out four to deter- 

 mine their hiding place. Touching two of them with my pencil, 

 they flitted awa}', it being still too dark to follow them. The third 

 soon darted away toward the ground and was out of sight. Tlie 

 fourth remained some moments longer, but, unfortunately, I looked 

 away for an instant to rest my eyes. 



During the following evening I secured about 30 for specimens. 

 Occasionally one would flit awaj^, and I could distinctl}' hear it strike 

 the ground. On lowering the lantern it was not always easy to locate 

 them, their colors being somewhat protective. They made no effort to 

 escape till again disturbed, sometiihes permitting themselves to be 



