53.9
3R
918 NO. 15
University of Montana
Agricultural Experiment Station
BOZEMAN, MONTANA
BULLETIN NO. 124 FEBRUARY, 1918
Fifteenth Annual Report
of the State Entomologist
of Montana
The destructive grasshopper {Melanoplus) of 1917
BY
R. A. COOLLY
STATE PUBLmNSCOLLEC^ON
OCT 3 1 2007
MONTANA STATE LIBRARY
1515 E. 6th AVE
HELENA, MONTANA 59320
Montana State Library
3 0864 1004 0571 4
Fifteenth Annual Report of the State
Entomologist of Montana
INSECT PESTS OF 1917
THE MITES AND TICKS (ACAKIXA)
Red Spider [Tetranycluis hhnaciilafiis Har\ey). Red spiders
did considerable damage to raspberries in various parts of the State.
The older growth was most seriously damaged and in many cases
was completely killed. The new growth was severely injured later
m the season. Control experiments were carried out with various
insecticides with considerable success.
Pear-Leaf Blister Mite (Kriophyes pyri Pagnat). Pear-leaf blis-
ter-mite was reported as being injurious to apples in the Bitter Root
\'allev and other localities in the western part of the State. Some
control experiments against this insect were carried on in conjunction
with the State Board of Horticulture. As had been previously dis-
covered, lime sulphur, sprayed when the buds were swelling, gave
satisfactory results.'
COrKROACHES AXD GRASSHOPPERS (ORTHOPTERA)
Cockroaches (Blatta germanica Linn.). As usual, there were
a few inquiries concerning the eradication of cockroaches in houses
and business establishments.
Grasshoppers (Afclanoplus sp.). A grasshopper outbreak, cov-
ering the lower Bitter Root Valley, Missoula County, the Flathead
Indian Reservation, and Tobacco Plains was the most outstanding-
feature of the year. Smaller outbreaks occurred in the Missouri
\'alley between Three Forks and Townsend. Poisoned bran mash
was used earlier in the season, followed by grasshopper-catching
machines. The farmers caught many bushels of 'hoppers to use for
chicken feed.
Shield-Backed Locust (Prrdiiabj-its scal)ricolli.<: Scud.). This
insect was found doing damage near Ronan. along with the .Melcnio-
plus spp. in the general outbreak. It did not take the poisoned bran
mash as readily as did the Alelanophis.
THRIPS (THYSAXOPTERA)
Grain Thrips (. / in(/)Ji(^fJirips sfriatiis Osb.). The sterility of
39(5 MONTANA EXPEEIMEXT STATION Hul. 124
oats, causing a considerable loss in the crop, \vas noticed again this
year. It is due to this insect, which attacks the ovary before the
head lea\es the boot and so injures it that the flow.er produces no
kernel.
THE TRUE BUGS, PLANT LICE, ETC. (HEMIPTERA)
Potato Bug Feeder {Perihis claudus Say). This strikingly
colored Pentatomid was found in many instances feeding on the
larvae of the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemliiieata
Bedbugs (Cimex lectidaria Linn.). Inquiries concerning the
control and eradication of bedbugs were frequent. Our former fum-
igation experiments were repeated, and good results were obtained.
False Chinch Bug (Xj/sius ericae Uhl.). This insect was
reported many times, being mistaken for the true chinch bug. It
becomes exceedingly plentiful at times and is often accused of doing
damage to wheat, though we have no records showing this to be
true. It is often the cause ol considerable damage to the younger
and tenderer portions of vegetables in gardens.
Campylencliia cuTvata Fabr. This insect was sent in as doing
damage to alfalfa. Alfalfa stems were sent in with the epidermis
scraped off and punctures in the stems made in feeding and oviposit-
ing. Many of the stems had eggs in them, several to one puncture.
Sugar-Beet Root-Louse {Pemphigus hetae Doane). Wherever
sugar beets have been grown, this insect has obtained a foothold.
In the Yellowstone Valley the losses are considerable, due to lessened
tonnage and a lowered sugar content of the beets.
Cabbage Aphis (Aphis hrassicae Linn.). Cabbage aphis did not
seem so plentiful this year as in previous years in spite of the
increase in the number of gardens and the lack of care in a great
many of them.
Apple Aphis {Apliis pomi DeG.). This insect was held some-
what in check by the late, cold spring and dry summer so that it
was not as plentiful as heretofore. It has always been an important
pest of apples but caused little damage this season.
Cottonwood Aphis {ArctapMs sp.). This insect seems to be
spreading rapidly in this State and causing considerable damage to
cottonwoods. AVhere these trees are the principal shade tree the
damage becomes rather important. Badly infested trees lose their
FIFTEENTH AXNCAL BEPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1^7
leaves early in the suminer. and in many cases the exuded honev dew-
is a considerable nuisance.
Fall-Grain Aphis (Jlacj-osipJiiiDi sp.). There were inquiries
regarding a species of aphis which was found on heads of nearly
ripened wheat. It turned out to be a species of Jfacrosiphuvi, which
is commonly found on wheat in the late summer but which appar-
ently does no damage.
The Western Wheat Aphis {BracJiycohis tritici Gill.). This
insect was practically unknown this year. Heretofore it has caused
serious losses in wheat, but in 1916 it was scarce, owing perhaps to
the heavy winter-killing of wheat, and this year the winter-killing
was greater and the insect so scarce that enough could not be found
to continue the research studies.
Woolly Apple Aphis {Scliizoneura lani^eva Hausm.). The
Avoolly aphis caused considerable damage in the Bitter Root \'alley
this season. It was exceedingly plentiful, more so than last season.
The Elm Gall Louse {Schizoneura cnnericana Riley). Elm trees
in \arious localities of the State sufifered from the attacks of this
insect. Some of the trees were very seriously affected, maturing-
little or no new growth.
Oyster Shell Scale { Lepidosaphes uhvi Linn.). This insect is
becoming very abundant and troublesome in the small uncared-for
orchards in western Montana. The thorough and consistent use of
lime-sulphur sprays will hold it in check.
■ MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES (LEPIDOPTERA)
Imported Cabbage Butterfly {Pontia rapae Linn.). The cab-
bage worm caused a great deal of loss in all localities of the State.
The small gardens in the cities suffered the worst from this pest, as
they were not as well taken care of as the large gardens. Zinc
arsenite was substituted for Paris green in control work.
Cutworms (Xochiidae). Besides some species of cutworms
attackino- wheat, earden cutworms were abvmdant e\'ervwhere in the
State. Reports of injury to all kinds of garden plants and requests
for control information were frequent. Peas, beets, and cabbage
seemed to suft'er the most injury though other plants were frequently
attacked.
Erixoa tristicula Morr. This cutworm caused considerable losses
in wheat in the northern part of the State. As it works almost
198 MONTANA EXI'KKl .M EXT STATION Rul. liM
entirely below the surface of the "round the control offers a consider-
al)le ])r(il)lem. Poisoned bran mash seems entirely ineffective.
Bud Moth {Tnictoccra oce/Unui Schiff'.). The fall brood of the
bud moth did considerable damage to the apples this year.
Mediterranean Meal Moth {Eplicsfis knehniella Zell.). Stored
food products in tlie line of cereals were frequently found to be
infested with the larxae of this ninth. It was also reported in ground
feed, stored in l)ins. Opening up the mills in zero weather proxed
an effective means of control.
Indian Meal Moth {Plodia iiiterpiincfeUa Hubn.). This tiu}-
reddisli moth xvas reared from dried fruit shipped from California
and condemned by the State Board of Health. The shipment con-
sisted of pears, peaches, prunes, figs, and raisins, all infested to a
greater or less degree.
Clothes Moths {Tineola hisclIicUa). This common household
l)est was not reported this season as much as heretofore. Fumigation
with cyanide of potassium was highly successful against it in a ie^v
instances where it was reported.
FLIES (DIPTERA)
Leather Jackets (Tijndidac). Larvae of a ti]mlid. probably
7'i]iiila an 2^isti /K j/nis, were found in great numl:)ers in a damp place
m a wheat field. Ihe farmer who saw them, first tliought they were
wireworms. Xo damage was done by them.
Mosquitoes [Cit Hc'nhii). Some parts of the State were troubled
with mosquitoes but owing to the \er\- dr\- vear tliex- were not as
bad as usual. Xo attempts were made at organized control work
because of lack of funds.
Clover Seed Midge {Dasyone^ira leg^i ininicoJn Lint.). Thi
insect was caught in rather large numbers in closer at Arlee. Tt has
apparently been present there for the last couple of vears and has
caused some loss in the clo\er seed cro]~). though never reported
before. It was not found in any other locality, though it may l)e
more or less generally present.
The March Fly i/lihio n /hi /xii/iis Say I. Manx- farmers noticed
this fly crawling on their wheat plants last spring, and stis]:)ec:ed
it of doing some damage. Inquiries regarding it were frequent, and
any queer injury or unusual ajipearance of the plants was attributed
to tliis insect. e\en though it is ap])arently harmless.
s
FIFTEENTH ANMAL KEPC ' STATE EXTOMOLOO'lST l!»l»
Horse Flies {Tahanidae). In the mountainous localities, liorse-
tiies were abundant most of the summer, causing^ considerable incon-
venience to campers and people whose business required their pres-
ence in the mountains.
Currant Fruit Fly (EpocJnri canadensis Leow.). \'ery few cur-
rants were gathered in parts of Montana this vear due to the injuries
caused by this insect. Some poison bait sprays have been used with
some success.
Wheat Sheath Miner [Crniihnitlia feiiKj/yilis ^leig.)- The losses
caused by this insect were nut as great as previously. Control
measures carried on in nne locality seemed to have greatly decreased
them.
Stem Maggot of Wheat (,Uei'oinyza nigriirntTis ^lacq. ). This
insect, in localities where the control of CcTodontlia femoi-alis was
carried out, was effectively controlled at the same time. The damage
done in other places was difficult to estimate due to the losses through
drought.
The Nose Fly [Gastrojihi I !!.■< ItuciiiorTlioidd lis Linn.). The nose
ilv has gradually spread over the entire State and causes more and
more trouble in the using of horses. A solid piece of leather from
bit ring to bit ring just wide enough to protect the lips is the l)est
])rotectii m.
Onion Maggot (PJiorhia cepaTinii Meade), i he onion maggot
was a serious pest of both onions and radishes this vear. wherever
they were grown.
The Cabbage Maggot { /'Iioi-ljia l^/yissicac Boche). Cabbages
grown in the northwestern portion of the State were severelv injured
bv this maggot. Other parts of the State were almost free from
an}' loss of this kind.
THE FLEAS ^SIPHOXAPTERA)
Fleas (SiphonapfeTo). Inquiries for Ilea control measures were
leceived this vear. The human flea. Puie.v ii-rifanx. was the most
common offender. lliis also lives on mice, wliicli were in some
cases the original source of infection.
THE BEETLES (COLEOPTERA)
The Larder Beetle { Pirnirsf-is /ai (hiriiis Linn. I. jlie usual
iiuiuiries regarding this pest of fo(.d products were recei\ed in this
200 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION Bui. IJi
office. This insect is perhaps more plentiful and does more damage
than is ordinarily realized, and in these days of saving- all food
products, it should be more thoroughly looked into by the Imuse-
keeper.
Wire worms (Elateridae). The true wire worms have been held
responsible for considerable damage to wheat in various places. They
liave caused some losses in potatoes by boring into the tubers, ren-
dering them unfit for use.
Dung Beetle {Aphodins inquinatus Hbst.). The swarms of
these insects in the spring and fall attracted considerable attention
among farmers, especially those working in the fields where the
l^eetles were flying and feeding on fresh manure. Some farmers were
rather concerned regarding this insect, fearing it might be a pest
of some kind.
June Beetle (LacJinostei-na sp.). Beetles of this genus were
unusually plentiful in eastern ^Montana the past season. They were
reported as being so abundant that campers were greatly annoyed
by their hitting the tent and alighting on the bed. Beetles were
even found literally piled against the sides of dwellings where they
had struck and fallen to the ground. No damage was reported as
having been done by the larvae.
A Sunflower Pest (Chrj/smiiea cvclaviatioJiis Fab.). This beetle,
resembling a Colorado potato beetle, was found in great numbers
on wild sunflowers and some times on cultivated ones. Where sun-
flowers are grown for use in tlie silo, this insect is lial)le to l)ecome
n serious pest.
Flea Beetles (Ejntri.v sp.). Flea beetles were reported on all
garden crops. Potatoes and beets were injured the most, but turnips,
radislies. and other vegetables were not free from attack.
Cottonwood Blotch Miner (Odontotn sp.). Reports of injurv
caused by this insect came from the western part of the State, though
in ])ast years it has been generally distributed over all parts of
Montana.
Cottonwood Leaf Beetle {Lina script a Fab.). Reports of injury
l)y this insect were nut as ])lentiful as usual, and injurv was not
tidticed 1)\- State workers.
Colorado Potato Beetle i Lr/>fijtofarsa dcreniJijirafd Sav). The
Colorado i)otato beetle was more plentiful this year than last and,
fiwing to the fact that Paris green was so very expensive, many
FIFTEENTH AXXL'AL EEPOKT OF STATE EX TU.MuLUGlST 201
people were at a loss how to get rid of them. In many places potato
plots were practically ruined before the owner realized it. Arsenite
of zinc was recommended as a substitute for Paris green, to be used
pound for pound, and results were very successful.
False Wireworms (Eleodes sp.). False wireworms were reported
to l)e injuring wheat in widely separated localities about the State.
Some fields were found where the injury was doubtless due to false
wireworms, but some were also found where other agencies caused
most of the damage attributed to this pest.
The Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle {Silvanns siirinainensis Linn.).
This insect was found in a carload of dried fruit which was con-
demned by the State Board of Health. The fruit, consisting of
]n-unes. peaches, figs, raisins, and pears, was unfit for use and a com-
plete loss. The fruit was shipped from California.
Blister Beetles {Epicaiita, macuJata Say and E. Pennsijlvanica
D. G.). These beetles are both friends and enemies, feeding on
various crops in the adult stage and on grasshopper eggs in the
larval stage. They were unusually plentiful in the localities heavily
infested with grasshoppers this season.
Nuttall's Blister Beetle (Cantharis nuttalli Say). In a few
instances alfalfa was reported to have been injured by Nuttall's
blister beetle. The damage was not extensive, nor were the reports
of widespread origin.
Lesser Clover Leaf Weevil {EJu/toJirniuis nigrirostris Fab.).
This enemy of clo\er caused considerable damage in western Alon-
tana. It feeds on the heads and voung leaves of clover, causine a
loss in the seed crop as well as a lowering of the hay yield.
Currant Weevil ( /'smdanthonoijuis validiis Dietz). This weevil,
m cooperation with the fruit fi}-. was responsible for some of the
currant losses. It is not so readil}' noticed, however, as it attacks
the currants before they are beginning to turn, causing them to fall
to the ground and dr\- up.
BEES AXD ALLIED FORMS (HYMEXOPTERA)
Wasps {y('s/)i(Jae). A report was sent in to this office of wasps
causing considerable loss by feeding on ripened or partiall;.' ripened
strawberries, making them unfit for use. ^^'hile wasps show a
decided liking for fruit, it is not often that they are the cause of any
loss.
202 MO.NI'ANA i:.\ 1 'KK'l .M K.XT STATION Bui. 12i
Leaf Cutter Bees [M c'Jdcliilc sp.). Certain species <if trees and
shrul)s. especially ash trees and rose hushes, suffered considerably
ironi the depredations of these insects. In one instance a few rose
bushes were almost entirely defoliated, only the midrib of the leaves
beino' left.
Willow Saw-Fly {PfeTonidia venfTalif<). Willows used as shade
trees were rei)orted as l)einQ- seriously injured by the larvae of the
willow saw-tl\-.
Pear or Cherry Slug { Jii-ioctan poidcs rcrasi Linn.). Cherry
trees in the western part of the State suffered from the attacks of
this pest. The somewhat flattened green slugs feed on the lea\es
and Completely skeletonize them, giving the trees a bro\vnish appear-
ance.
Ants (Foriii'n-iini). Ants continue to be reported as one great
source of troul)le to the housekeeper. Usually a little concerted
action and careful use t)f carbon bisulphide will control them.
ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY AND THE WAR
The fact of the world's shortage of food supplies is now well
known by the American people. It is not as well known that insects
annually destroy about ten per cent of the agricultural output of
the nation — an amount sufficient to relie\e to a considerable extent
the pressure at this critical time. The hrst vear of the war brought
us in Montana face to face with several ratlier serious insect prol)-
lems. Grasshoppers, mentioned in another part of this re])ort. and
numerous other insects ])ecame prominent during the \ear and it
was apparent earlv in the season that this office could do a real
service by aiding- the farmers t(~) pre\'ent hisses.
There has also gro^\•n up in recent Acars a verv li\elv interest in
the control of ground squirrels and naturallv this ottice had nntch
to do in directing the campaign against them. In manv counties
the County agricultural agents cooperated witli the farr.-.ers in tiie
preparation and (listril)Utii m of jxiisoned grain, resulting in tiie
destruction of hundreds of thousands and ])erhaps millions of squir-
rels. There can be no doubt that this one |)iece of work ah me sa\ed
a great deal o'f agricultural pruduce during tlie vear.
In view of the imjxirtance of pest control work during the period
of the war, the de])artment took steps to organize tn meet the
demands for assistants, llie assistant entomolosist, Mr. 11. L. Sea-
FIFTEKNTll A.XMAL WKI'Din' UF bl'ATK E.\TO.\lULU(a??T 2()o
mans, was ])lace(l in the ticld and kept there throiu^h the lari^er part
of the season. .Mr. A. L. Strand, wlio graduated from the entomolog^y
course of the collej^e in 1917. was also emplo}'ed and sent out to
direct the farmers in pest control. Two senior students, Mr. lorkins
and ]\Ir. King^. were also em])l(i\ed in this work at times. As a
result, the State was (juite well covered and all uf the nidst important
Outbreaks were \isited and ilie farmers in each instance were helped.
During the year the State entomologist prepared and delixered
at the annual meeting of the Amci"ican Association of I'xonomic
Entomologists, at Pittsburgh, I'a., an address entitled "Economic
Entomology in the Service of the Nation." This appeared in the
journal of Economic Entomologv. \*olume 11. pages ](i to <?T.
COOPERATION WITH THE EXTENSION SERVICE
The extension service of the college does not employ an ento-
mologist and it has not contribttted to the control of insect pests.
It has been the policy of the State entomologist's office to cooperate
heartily with the extension service and to keep in close touch with
the county agricultural agents and with their State leader. Accord-
ingly, we have received many telegrams, letters, and telephone
messages from county agents, asking for ad\ice or calling for assist-
ants to be sent to their counties to aid the farmers.
THE GRASSHOPPER OUTBREAK OF 1917
During the fall of I'-'Ki reports reached this office indicating that
grasshoppers had been abundant during the summer in the kdathead
Indian Reservation in the northern part of Missoula C'ounty. I'otmty
agents of the surrounding counties were warned and ste]xs ^\•ere
taken to do everything possible during the s])ring to i>re\ent or
reduce the damage that might reasonably be expected in \'M1. Assist-
ant .State Entomologist H. L. Seamans made a thor<iugh sur\ey of
the situation in the early s]iring.
On the occasion of the hrst trij). in the middle of Aj^ril. eggs
had been found in abundance and on this early date dead grasshop-
pers ui the pre\ious year could l)e found, as well as evidence of the
damage that had l)een done to winter ^\•heat. l\ggs were f(nmd in
ditch banks, fence rows, especially around alfalfa and clover fields.
With manv of these eggs were found an abundance of ground beetle
larvae and adults { //a /-/xi / us sp.). The first grasshopper eggs
hatclied. so far as our records sliow, alxmt Ma\" I'lth.
204 MUXTAXA EXPEK1:MEXT bTATiUX Bui. 1 24
W hile the grasshopper troubles in liJlT extended scatteringly
throughout the State, they centered mainly in an irregular area
extending through parts of Missoula, Flathead, and. Sanders counties.
Roughly speaking, the region affected extended fmni near the town
of Stevensville to Flathead Lake, a distance of about 70 miles. There
were more or less grasshoppers throughout this region, but in spots
they were very abundant and in some places practically everything
green was eaten oft'. Much more damage would have been done
but for the control work which was organized by the county agents
and this office in cooperation. The young grasshoppers hatched
through a long-drawn-out period and those that hatched first were
entirely or quite full grown before the last ones appeared. At no
time in the fore part of the season could we tell just how severe
the outbreak was to be. As the season advanced and many of the
insects had acquired wings the grasshoppers spread out from the
more or less restricted areas where they had hatched and the infesta-
tion l:)ecame general. It sometimes happened that after the grass-
hoppers had been killed in a locality others moved in, which made
the conditions somewhat discouraging to the farmers. Along with
the grasshoppers came a spell of severe dry weather and some crops
which had been saved from the insects were afterwards severely
injured by lack of moisture. Grasshoppers were also very abundant
and some damage was done in the region extending through the
western part of Gallatin County and the southern part of Broadwater
County. Control operations were carried out here, also.
Extracts from a letter written by Sidney T. Rogers of Three
Forks, whose land lies in Broadwater County, are here presented:
"About July the grasshoppers were so thick in my wheat field
vou could scarcely see wdieat heads and were simply destroying it
completelv. I conferred with our county agent and in response he
came with Mr. Seamans and they together constructed a 'hopper
machine. I placed my son and daughter in the held on horses
attached to each end and they caught twenty-eight (^28) gunny sacks
of 'hoppers, a fair estimate of 50 bushels.
"T am fully convinced if it had not been for the assistance of
Frof. Seamans and Mr. Gordon, onr Broadwater Cdunty agent. I
would have lost my entire wheat crop of 231 acres."
"T am feeding the 'hoppers to our chickens and tliey ha\'e laid
FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 205
eggs all this fall and to date, and I am fully satisfied they are a good
ration for fattening, as they eat them up clean."
WORK WITH THE COUNTY AGENTS
In organizing the control work we cooperated mainly with the
county agricultural agents. These men were familiar with the field
conditions and with the influential farmers and but for tlie extension
organization we could not have accomplished our work. In the
course of our experience it developed that the natural and effective
way to accomplish what we were after was to leave the county
agents to call all meetings, organize them, and be mainly responsible
for their success. Representatives from this office assumed merely
an. advisory responsibility, delivering lectures and making demon-
strations whenever desired and securing information regarding
sources of arsenic and other necessary ingredients for the poison
formula.
ORGANIZATION OF THE FARMERS
The procedure in organizing control eft'orts among the farmers
was generally to first enter the district and get some information
regarding existing conditions, the abundance of grasshoppers, the
amount of damage being done, and other points of importance,
locally, for use in the work. The county agent then called a meeting
of the citizens which was addressed by himself and by the entomolo-
gist. The habits of grasshoppers, conditions of the locality so far
as we knew them, methods of control, together with a review of the
experience in other localities, were discussed and the farmers were
organized and asked to form committees. Quite often the commit-
tees were made up in part of people from town and in part of farmers
for it was recognized that the interests of the town were affected as
well as those of the country. Committees for soliciting and for
purchasing were appointed and dates for further meetings were
fixed. In some instances one committee managed the whole cam-
paign for the community. Dates were appointed when the farmers
came together and mixed the poisoned bait. In some instances the
poisoned ingredients were delivered before the meeting and in some
cases they were brought as the people came to the meeting. The
committees sold the poison to the farmers, who took it home and
spread it immediately.
One of these ''mixing bees" was held on the ri\ er bank at Irvine
20(i MUM'A.NA EXi'EKlMENT STATION -Bui. 124
Mats. A few over ninety men were present on this occasion and
about fortv-tive farm wa^qons. Ilie wliole community was asseml)led
at this point and worked all da\- i)reparino- the poisoned bran mash
which late in the afternoon was shoveled into the back end of the
wagons and spread o\er the valley and foothills. 'rhirty-h\e waL^ons
were used in spreading this poison . These were lined up by groups
of five and driven o\-er the country in long, broad swaths.
In this neighborhood grasshoppers were incredibly abundant
but on returning a few days later relativel}- few could be found.
Such drixes as this were organized throughout a territory extending
over some 200 square miles, and some 10,000 pounds of white arsenic
were used, as well as many carloads of bran and some carloads of
lemons and oranges. Tremendous numbers of grasshoppers wfere
killed and the damage that was done in spite of tlie control etTorts
was due largely to grasshoppers \\hich hatched later in the same
localities or which migrated in from the surrounding fotithills and
uncultivated lands. The spell of dry weather which occurred at
the same time had the effect oi causing the grasshoppers to con-
centrate on low-lying lands which remained green longer and it was
quite clear that the grasshoppers moved considerable distances to
find such ureen areas. It was soon found that in some cases a single
poisoning of the held or its borders could not be depended upon to
protect the crop throughout the season. In s()mc instances, after
liaving poisoned earlier in the season, the farmers resorted to the
use of the grasshopi)er machines to further protect the crops. It
was. of course, hoped all the time that rains would C(ime. If it had
been known at the outset that rains would be so long delayed, in
manv instances the farmers would never have made the eftort to
save the crops. In some cases the eftorts were successful and in
some they were not, but I believe that the failure Vvas due very
largelv to the dry weather, which not only itself damaged the crop,
but caused concentration of the grasshoppers in the crops.
COOPERATTOX WITH THE RFREAr OF EXTO^rOLOGY
Earlv in the grasshopper outl)reak we entered a cooperative
arrangement with and had the assistance of the Bureau of Entomol-
ogv. U. S. Department of Agriculture. Mr. C. A\'. Creel, who is in
charge of the Forest Grove Entomological Station of the Bureau in
Oregon, came to ^Montana about June 1st with assistants and
FIFTEEXTH ANXl'AI. K'KI'Oirr nV STATE EXT^^rOT.O^.TST 2n7
remained until August 1st. It was most fortunate that we had this
aid from the Federal goxernment, as there was more work than this
ofifice could accomplish. We were also benefited by the fact that
the Federal government supplied certain funds for the treatment of
public lands. In many instances the farmers were not willing to
treat their own lands unless the public lands in the vicinity might
also be treated, thus preventing the entrance of grasshoppers after
the farms had once been cleaned up. The assistants with Mr. Creel
were Mr. Kockwood and Mr. Taylor.
KIXDS OF GKA8S110l>l'EH,s IX THE orTHKEAK
From the fragments of grasshoppers which were found in April,
which were the remains of those present the year before, it became
evident that the species concerned w'as the well-known lesser migra-
torv locust. JfeJanopjKs ntJanis Riley, or a closely related species,
and from the nvmphs which were found during the early part of
the season we had further evidence that the species concerned
belonged in the atlanis group. AVhen adult grasshoppers, however,
began to emerge about July <Sth. it was learned that they more
closelv resembled the old Rocky Mountain migratory locust which
fiftv rears ago wrought extensive damage in the northwestern States.
As more and more of the insects reached the adult condition it was
evident that the great mass of them belonged to this form. Accord-
ingly, large numbers of the specimens were taken for future study.
"\^'e cannot say definitely at this time just what species this
grasshopper is. However, for present purposes it is enough to say
that, if it is not the Rocky Mountain migrator\- locust, it is ver_y
closelv related to it. It is a long-winged form and a good' fiier. \\ e
(lid not witness any extensive migrations of the species, but such
migrations were reported by the residents.
It is of much importance to determine as soon as possible
whether or not it is the destructive species of fifty years ago for it
IS desirable to know whether potentially this grasshopper is as
injurious as that one. Accordingly, an effort will be made to deter-
mine more closely the specific identity of this insect.
NATURAL ENEMIES
In Liur journe}ings through the region aft'ected 1)_\' this grass-
hopper we watched for the parasites which might be of service in
20S MUM'AXA EXPEK1ME^■T STATlO-N P.til. l-.'4
holding the outbreak in check and on July 8th many flesh flies
iSarcopliaoa) were seen and from this day on, periodically, they
were found in great abundance wherever the grasshoppers occurred.
Large numbers of dead grasshoppers were found on the ground and
many examinations revealed that the maggots were in the grasshop-
pers in great numbers. There is njuch reason to believe that, if this
outbreak fails to develop into a seriously extensive one, it will be
due to these flies which appeared in innumerable numbers, depositing
young maggots on the adult insects.
EGGS IX THE FALL
Assistants were sent to the region in the fall who made thorough
surveys for evidence of egg-laying, for it was desired to know if we
were to have a recurrence of the grasshopper outbreak in 1918.
Through several days of searching no grasshopper eggs whatever
were found and from this fact it is hoped that there will not be any
serious trouble next season.
