95 
the nocmiy is dry, however, no time is wasted before seeking another. 
In feeding on the flowers, the proboscis is inserted into the corolla, 
usually near the base between the petals. In such situations the moths 
are no doubt searching for moisture rather than hone3^ It is rnrefor 
tlie moth to visit more than three or four parts of one plant before 
flj'ing awa}^, although quite often it will return to a plant previously 
fed upon. During the course of an hour a moderately active moth, 
alternately feeding, resting, and ovipositing, will cover several acres 
of ground, visiting anywhere from one hundred to one hundred and 
fift}^ plants. 
Early in the evening, when the moths are first on the wing their 
flight is ver}^ swift, but gradually slows down. As a general rule they 
are quicker and shyer on the clear evenings following hot, dry days, 
and less active in cloudy or rainy weather. This does not indicate a 
decrease in ovi position in rainy weather, as might appear at first sight, 
for rapid flight does not determine active oviposition. 
Night feeding is confined almost entirely to corn and cowpeas early 
in the season and to cotton and cowpeas later. Corn offers no primary 
attraction in the way of food, but they feed upon the moisture present 
and upon the honey dew of aphids. The honey secreted by the glands 
on the fruit stalks of the cowpea draws them to the plants, although, as 
before noted, oviposition is not common on them. Cotton must also 
offer a great attraction by supplying food, aside from any other con- 
sideration. At the time cotton is squaring and blooming extensively 
other food is scarce, and for this reason alone the moths may be 
induced to turn their attention to it. 
ATTRACTION BY LIGHTS. 
Although the uselessness of trying to capture the mcths b}^ means 
of trap lanterns has been pointed out again and again, the method was 
tested very thoroughly during the year. Several tin traps were con- 
structed like the one shown on Plate XXV, figure 1, somewhat similar 
to a model described by Gillette, with the addition of a patent oil -torch 
lamp and a series of tin reffectors above. The lower portion was well 
stocked with cyanide, and the lamps put in operation in corn and cotton 
fields at various dates during the season. The first night, Ma}^ 2, a 
single male Heliothis was captured, but the traps yielded no further 
moths in fifteen future settings, and were abandoned until later in the 
season. During the early part of September the traps were again 
resorted to with less discouraging results, 8 males and 2 females being 
caught in four settings. At this time, however, moths were present 
in countless numbers in the patches of corn and cowpeas where the 
traps were placed. .Aside from these captures, 3 single female speci- 
mens were collected at different times flying to the lights in windows 
22051— No. 50—05 7 
