THE PINK BOLLWORM. 
9 
boll. In the early stages it sometimes assumes a somewhat pinkish 
color. It may be distinguished from the pink bollworm by its habits, 
especially by the fact that it does not feed altogether in the interior 
of the bolls and that it is not found within the 
seeds. When full grown it is much larger than 
the pink bollworm, measuring about 2 inches in 
length. 
The insect most likely to be mistaken for the 
pink bollworm is the boll weevil. Although the 
boll weevil is sometimes found in seeds, it gener- 
ally is found feeding within the interior of the 
boll. It discolors the fiber considerably, and this 
causes the interior of the boll to assume a more or 
less decayed appearance, quite unlike the appear- 
ance of bolls infested by the pink bollworm, in 
which decay generally does not occur. This so- 
called cleanliness of the work of the pink bollworm 
is one of the most useful characteristics in differ- 
entiation. 
The accompanying illustrations will assist the 
reader in deciding whether the work in question is 
that of the pink bollworm or some other insect 'boi-iworm : e Pupa. 
found in cotton bolls. f B usci) enlarge<1 
Fig. 5. — Exit holes of pink bollworms in cotton bolls. 
Figure 5 shows on the left the appearance of the interior of an in- 
jured boll, and on the right the characteristic small circular opening 
made by the larva for the purpose of allowing the adult to emerge. 
63886°— 18— Bull. 723 2 
