45 
often returning after several seconds to repeat the operation on the 
same ear. Then %ing from ear to ear the oviposition continues, with 
an occasional visit to other parts of the plant to lay on the tassel, leaf, 
or stalk. Some moths show much less steadiness of purpose and fly 
about much more irregularly^, ovipositing promiscuously on all parts 
of the plant. 
When cowpeas are present between the rows of corn, especially in 
fields of June corn in Texas, and very generally in field corn in other 
Southern States, they receive a number of the eggs, the moths feeding 
on the peas at intervals between the periods of oviposition. The 
advantage of planting cowpeas in corn is thus evident, for the moths 
do not leave the corn fields as they would if food were scarce, and 
oviposition is confined largely to the corn. If food is not to be had 
in the corn fields the moths are compelled to move about in search of 
it, many of them flying to cotton fields, where food is always to be found 
if the plants are " squaring" or blooming. 
OVIPOSITION ON COTTON. 
As ma}^ be gathered from the foregoing, oviposition on cotton does 
not begin until the season is well advanced. Owing to the very suit- 
able condition of field corn for oviposition early in July, when the 
maximum number of moths of the second generation are laying eggs, 
but few of these moths oviposit on cotton. The resulting larvae from 
the small percentage of eggs which are thus laid may, however, cause 
the destruction of a few of the earliest squares. By the time the third 
generation of moths has begun to emerge, which is about the first of 
August in northern Texas, the field corn has begun to dry and the 
ears to harden, so that it is no longer attractive either for food or for 
oviposition. The moths are now attracted by the food offered by the 
nectaries of the cotton plants in the adjacent fields and desert the 
ripening corn almost entirely. 
Time and manner of oviposition. — ^The process of oviposition is not 
continuous, but is varied by alternate periods of feeding and resting. 
As soon as twilight begins, the moths commence to leave their hiding 
places and fly about. At first their principal desire seems to be for 
food, and they fly from plant to plant feeding on the drops of moisture 
on the flowers and at the nectaries on the squares. Soon periods of 
egg-laying and resting are interpolated and later oviposition goes on 
rather steadih\ The moths seem to fly about almost without purpose 
and to lay eggs wherever the}^ happen to alight if they can obtain a firm 
foothold. This last seems to be rather important, for most of the 
failures to lay were noticed on the upper sides of the leaves, where it 
is difiicult for the moths to catch hold with their tarsi. The abdomen 
is bent sickle-shaped beneath the thorax and the eggs pressed against 
the desired spot with the ovipositor. Quite often several hasty 
