An important fiber quality related to dyeing imperfections is fiber maturity. Motes are developmentally arrested seeds and their associated fiber. Motes were categorized into short- and long-fibered motes. A two-year study using DP50 and DP51 was designed to correlate mote production with environmental changes during the growing season. The position of motes within a locule and mote fiber length were monitored for first position bolls. In 1992 early mid season bolls had fewer motes per boll (2.2) than later season bolls (4.8). Less than one long-fibered mote per boll was found in bolls set just prior to cut out. In 1993 early mid-season bolls had high mote counts per boll (4.8) and reached a maximum of 6.4 motes per boll prior to cut out. The number of long-fibered motes per boll was lowest in early mid-season bolls (0.9) and increased as the season progressed. In 1992 the probability of finding a mote at the apical position in a locule was less than any other position. In 1993 the probability of finding a mote in the middle of the locule was the least. Drought during the latter part of the two growing seasons increased the number of motes per boll.