46 



more attractive 10 the moths and accounts, in part, for the fact that 

 one field is badly injured while surrounding ones are not. The injury 

 in other portions of the cotton region not specially outlined above 

 amounts to less than 2 per cent, and is so scattering as not to demand 

 serious attention, unless, perhaps, in a few isolated exceptional locali- 

 ties. 



FOOD-PLANTS. 



Corn is well known as its choice food-plant. Cow-peas rank next, 

 and cotton probably third, though there is evidence that if the tomato 

 crop were in as prime a condition later in the season when corn matures 

 the tomato would rank third, and cotton, at best, about fourth. This 

 accounts in part for the slight injury to cotton over most of the cot- 

 ton belt, where many of the crops just mentioned are planted a second 

 time later in the season, and which, therefore, divides the attack of the 

 Boll Worm on cotton. Experience has abundantly shown that cotton as 

 a food-plant is more a compulsion than a choice. More stress should 

 be placed upon the importance from an economic, entomological stand- 

 point upon the many host plants already on record for this species. In 

 localities where the cultivation of tobacco is being introduced it is to be 

 noted that the Boll Worm abundantly attacks the crop, and care must 

 be exercised in order that its ravages may not attain serious propor- 

 tions and endanger the progress of the introduction of this crop. In 

 large cities even flower gardens entirely isolated from corn or cotton 

 fields, have been frequently found to be infested with Boll Worm. This 

 can not be accidental, as might be urged, if these gardens were exposed 

 to badly infested fields, and it simply illustrates the reckless, apparently 

 indifferent habit of the female as to the host plant upon which she de- 

 posits. Special mention in city flower gardens should be given the 

 Verbena, Geranium, Abutilon, rosebuds, and Jack Beans. 



CHARACTERS AND TRANSFORMATIONS. 



These have been so fully described heretofore that nothing further 

 deserves special mention in this connection, except the habit of can- 

 nibalism among the worms. As for the imagos, former observations as 

 to their diurnal habits have been fully verified the present season. At 

 Arlington, Tex., last August, hundreds were seen flying and feeding 

 freely on cow-peas from 9:30 to about 11 a. m. Though carefully 

 watched, deposition at this time was not observed, and it appeared that 

 they were only breakfasting. Deposition, however, could be frequently 

 noted in the afternoon several hours before sundown. 



NUMBER OF BROODS AND HIBERNATION. 



As to the number of broods nothing additional need be mentioned 

 at this time. The question of hibernation, however, demands special 

 consideration, and steps must yet be taken to determine more definitely 



