6 BULLETIN 918, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
to keep them fresh, and bolls were provided for oviposition. Pieces 
of blotting paper dampened with water or sweetened substances 
were added as food for the moths. The eggs were removed to other 
jars for hatching and the young larvae carefully removed to the food. 
Bolls and squares were used, but the squares were found more 
satisfactory. The food with the young larvae was placed in vials 
plugged with cotton. The pieces of bolls would become discolored, 
decomposed, and unsuitable for food in one or two days, while a 
square would remain in good condition several days and the larva 
could be examined daily with less disturbance. 
Wire cages were also used over small potted plants and cotton 
plants in the experimental plat to check the laboratory results, 
The pupae were removed to glass vials with a piece of damp cotton 
in the bottom to provide the necessary humidity. 
Temperature and humidity records were made with maximum and 
minimum thermometers and recording hygro thermographs placed 
indoors and outside in a U. S. Weather Bureau instrument shelter. 
MOTH. 
Description. 
The moth with wings spread is about three-fifths of an inch from 
tip to tip, dark brown in color, with irregular blackish markings on 
the forewings, the hindwings silvery gray with no distinct markings. 
The forewings are bluntly pointed, the hindwings acutely pointed, 
and both heavily fringed posteriorly. When at rest the wings are 
folded flat over the back. 
Habits. 
The moths are very seclusive in their habits during the day. It 
is exceptionally rare to find one in the fields until after sundown. 
Just at dusk they can be seen flitting very quickly from plant to 
plant, and by close examinations with a flashlight at night they can 
be readily found in a resting position on almost any part of the plant. 
They are active as late as 12 p. m. Xo observations were ever made 
later at night, but it is very likely that they remain active until 
daybreak. Occasionally they conceal themselves on the plant, but 
usually they crawl under trash, stones, clods, or even into the loose 
soil. They are very loath to leave their hiding places during the 
day, but when disturbed they run with a quick jerky movement or 
fly a short distance and immediately hide under the nearest object. 
In the laboratory the moths emerging from stored cotton would 
congregate on the window screens at dusk. They would remain 
quietly till morning and then return to their hiding places. Only 
rarely would one be seen during the day. 
