THE LESSER CORN STALK-BORER. 
21 
ACTIVITY OF THE MOTHS. 
The moths are very active during the night. They are positively 
phototrophic to bright light and even react positively to diffused 
light. This probably accounts for the fact that copulation and 
oviposition were not observed, for as soon as cages were placed in 
light sufficient for observation the moths became restless and began 
to roam around in the cages. 
LENGTH OF LIFE OF ADULTS. 
The length of life of the adults of this species varied from five to 
eighteen days in the rearing cages, as is shown in Table VIII. The 
average duration of this period is approximately the same in both 
sexes. Adult moths confined in cages and supplied with food 
(sugar sirup) lived longer than when deprived of it. 
Table VIII.- — Length of life of moths of Elasmopalpus lignosellus, at Columbia, S. C. 
Male. 
Female. 
No. 
Emerged. 
Died. 
Days. 
No. 
Emerged* 
Died. 
Days. 
1 
June 15 
July 17 
July 17 
July 19 
Aug. 30 
Aug. 30 
July 17 
July 3 
July 27 
July 27 
July 28 
Sept. 13 
Sept. 16 
July 24 
18 
10 
10 
9 
14 
17 
7 
1 
June 15 
July 17 
July 17 
Aug. 22 
Aug. 30 
Aug. 30 
Sept. 10 
July 3 
July 27 
July 28 
Sept. 9 
Sept. 13 
Sept. 12 
Sept. 15 
18 
10 
11 
18 
14 
13 
5 
2 
2 
3 
3 
4 
4 
5 
6 
6 
7 
7 
12.1 
12.7 
POLYGAMY. 
Experiments were conducted to ascertain whether polygamy 
exists among the moths of this species. The moths that were used 
in these experiments emerged from pupae which had been placed in 
individual tin boxes, and there was absolutely no chance of their 
having mated upon issuing, before being placed in the rearing cages. 1 
The male, after the death of the female (Cage 15-1 113) with whom he 
had mated and from whom 134 eggs were obtained, was placed with 
a freshly issued female (Cage 15-1117). From this female 91 eggs 
were obtained. All of the eggs that were obtained in both of these 
cages were fertile. 
In another cage, the male, which had mated with a female (Cage 
15-1114) and from whom 192 fertile eggs resulted, was placed 
(Cage 15-1116) with a virgin female. From this female 194 fertile 
eggs were obtained. 
1 All of these cages are recorded in Table III. 
