94 
ments. For a few moments afterward, until it has regained its com- 
posure, the wings are held somewhat apart and vibrate rapidly (see 
PL XIY, fig. 4). If again disturbed while thus on the alert, the sec- 
ond flight is usually longer, and the moth will iiy for a hundred feet 
or more before alighting. When the corn plants grow larger and the 
tassels and silks are formed, the moths are usually concealed at the 
base of the leaves close to the stalk. Later in the season the moths 
most frequently hide during the daytime in cotton fields, patches of 
cowpeas, or weeds in fence rows. In cotton or cowpeas the leaves 
afford abundant shelter and the moths are usually to be found resting 
on the upper side of one leaf in the shadow of another. (See PI. XIV, 
fig. 5.) More rarely they may be observed hanging to the flowers or 
squares. When disturbed, they dart down along the rows or between 
the plants, losing no time in choosing a second hiding place. They are 
so quick in getting concealed that they sometimes disappear as if b}- 
magic, especialh' where the foliage is dense. 
It is only rarely that moths are to be seen feeding or ovipositing in 
bright daylight. But at periods when food is scarce a number of 
moths are usualh' active during the day. The}' have been seen feed- 
ing on the following plants in the daytime: Alfalfa flowers; cotton: 
cowpeas; Eupatoriuin serotinurn^ a common roadside weed; wild sun- 
flowers; and Solanum rostratum^ another roadside weed. On corn 
they have been observed to feed on the sweet secretion of Aphis maid is 
Fitch and Dicranoptropis {Deljyha.j^ ma id is Ashm.. and on drops of 
rain and dewdrops upon grass. Cockerell records them feeding on 
plum blossoms at Mesilla Park, N. Mex., early in April. 
NIGHT HABITS. 
At about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when the heat of the day has 
passed, the period of activity for the moths begins, and continues until 
well into the night. Sometimes, however, activity does not begin 
until much latei*. often not until half-past 6 or T oVlock. It is quite 
noticeable that during periods when food is scarce, owing to drought 
or other causes, the moths are out earlier than at other times. In fact, 
their entire attention is given to feeding at first, after which the females 
begin to alternate this with periods of oviposition, as has been described 
in the preceding pages. The males no doubt continue to feed until 
the females are well started on their work of egg-laying, but after 
oviposition has become quite general males on the wing become scarce. 
During the process of feeding the moths fly in much the same way 
as when ovipositing. On cotton only the squares and flowers are 
visited, no notice being taken of the nectaries on the uuder surface of 
the leaves. Alighting on a square, the moths seek out the nectaries, 
and if nectar is present each bract is usually visited in succession. If 
