The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-09-03

the case with those specimens which
had been marked the preceding even
ing and were looked for the next day.
The changing from boil to boil on the
same plant may be frequently observed
during the day. The time of day when
the worms feed most vigorously is dur
ing the cooler portions of the afternoon
and eneving and in the morning before
the sun shines so hotly.
The sexes of the boll-worm moth can
usually be readily recognized, especial
ly if but a short time has elapsed since
their issuance. After the females have
deposited most of their eggs and their
wings have become worn and battered
the sex is less easily distinguished.
The body of the female is noticeably
more robust than the male; especially
the abdomen, which is distended some
what by the eggs which are being
matured. The end of the abdomen is
ovoid, acute, the tip not provided with
so large tuft of thick hairs as is that
of the male. The abdomen of the male,
tapering more gradually, is slightly
longer, of less diameter, and more cylin-
drical.
When feeding or ovipositing, the
fight of the moth is much slower than
when flying long distances. The moth
approaches a flower or gland, often
steadying itself with the fore legs in
any case fluttering its wings rapidly,
with an antenn@ in constant motion.
Sometimes they alight to sip sweets or
perhaps to rest; in either case the wings
are not closed upon the body, but are
partially spread and elevated, leaving
bare the abdomen. If, however, the
moth alights to hide, the wings are
folded closely down upon the body.
Much the same fight is observed in the
female when ovipositing, sometimes
alighting to do so, but usually only
steadying herself with the fore legs.
In the act of oviposition, the abdomen
is bent forward sickle-shaped, bring
ing the apex squarely upon the surface
to be deposited on. The time occupied
in depositing an egg in this manner is
equivalent to the time it requires to
count three or four slowly. At this
rate, and in the interval of flying about
from plant to plant, some half dozen
eggs are deposited, when the moth is
seen to fly away. So far as can be de-
termined these intervening flights are
for the purpose of feeding and rest
from labor.
Though the habits of the boll-worm
moth have been classed as nocturnal,
and they are principally so, yet it's
diurnal habits are perhaps OF greater
Importance than has hitherto been sup
posed. During continued daily observa-
tons on the boll-worm in the field the
moth was frequently seen flying about,
and at times observed to feed. Upon
closer observation it was found that on
pleasant sunshiny afternoons the moths
flew about quite plentifully, feeding
freely during their fight. Often while
standing in patch of cow-peas, from
about 3 p. M, have / observed the
moths, without any previous disturb
ance, rise here and there, fly about the
pea blossoms or the glands at the base
of the younger pods, sip their exuda-
tiops for few minutes at time and
then fly away short distance, alight to
rest and hide. In the early part of the
afternoon the length of their visits to
the pea blossoms are short and the time
Of their hiding longer than later. About
) to p. M, when the sun is yet quite
high, the moths begin to fly for longer
time and their hidings are of shorter
duration. Farm and Ranch.