Within-plant distribution ofHeliothisspp. eggs and larvae on cotton was studied in North Carolina from 1980 through 1983. Egg distribution varied from year to year, with either leaves or terminals being the most common oviposition sites. Larvae were most commonly found on bolls, but were found in disproportionately large numbers on flowers and small bolls with dried flower corollas on them. The preference for flowers was less distinct for larvae ofH. virescensthan forH. zealarvae.