44 
These records are in sharp contrast with those of Table V, show- ' 
ing a general average of 37 eggs to the plant instead of a little less 
than 1 egg to each plant. The largest number of eggs observed dur- 
ing 1904 was 989 on 10 plants, or nearly 100 per plant. Some counts 
made during 1903 exceed by far those for 1904, and are also given for 
comparison. 
Table YIII. — Oviposition on corn in silk, Texas, 1903. 
Locality. 
Ill 
5- = 
Condition. 
Eggs on— 
1 
Date. 
i 
3 
1 
a> 
02 
1 
§^5 
oft 
> 
< 
1903. 
:Mav 3 
1 
Silking 
210 
830 
553 
1,106 
511 
633 
284 
122 
241 
121 1 T'l 344 
Aus- 21 Willsnnint Tpx 3 
do 
660 ! •> l'^3 707 
Sept. 4 
Calvert, Tex 
5 
.....do 
307 1 - 734 347 
From this great number of eggs most likely only two or three larvae 
would succeed in attaining full groAvth and pupating. From these 
same tables a comparison can be made as to the proportion of eggs 
laid on different parts of the plants. In every case where silks were 
present, these bore the largest number of eggs in the following ratio 
to the other parts of the plant: 
Table IX. — Distribution of eggs on different parts of corn plant. 
Upper ! 
side of 
leaf. 
Lower 
side of 
leaf. 
Silks. 
Sheath. 
Tassel. 
Stalk. 
1904:^ • 
1,694 
32.3 ! 
1,593 
27.1 ; 
388 
7.3 
2,197 
40.8 
2,250 
40.3 
138 
2.6 
647 
1L2 
359 
6.S 
- 
1,088 
19.5 
501 
9.5 
1903: 
"Vumber 
(«) 
(I Not counted. 
This proportion varies greatly under different conditions, but the 
above is quite reliable. Larvee from the immense number of eggs laid 
upon the stalk, sheath, and leaves must inevitably perish, as do also 
the greater proportion of those laid upon the silks. The significance 
of this fact will be dwelt upon in the consideration of corn as a trap crop. 
Time and manner of ovipositiGn. — Oviposition takes j^lace usuall}^ 
between sunset and dark, often continuing much later, and f requenth" 
moths have been observed to lay on corn and cotton at other times of the 
day. In the case of corn, the silks are usually chosen first if these are 
present on the plant; the moth momentarily alights upon the tip end of 
an ear, bends the abdomen sickle-shaped beneath her and moving the tip 
about among the silks, deposits several eggs. (See PI. V.) After this 
process, which requires only a few moments, she will usuall}^ fly away 
