The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-06-20
LOCUSTS.

| The locusts that have appeared in such
large numbers within the last few days, and
attract so much attention, belong to the
species that appear but once in seventeen
years. They are easily distinguished from
those members of the family that appear
each year, by the marks upon the wings, the
latter bearing thereon lines resembling the
letter U, from which circumstances they are
| in the rural districts of Pennsylvania termed
" MON locusts," while the former have
! obtained the name of "war locusts" from
the letter W, which is clearly defined. The
proper name is the" American mole locust"
They generally appear about the 18th OF
May, and live about twenty eight days after
mediately upon arriving at the surface OF
the EARTH
Like human beings, locusts have their
| preferences and dislkcs and though to a
casual observer they may appear to inbabit
all trees unfortunately, yet there are
many that they will not alight on, and when
placed on them will cvince considerable
agitation and excitement The peach and
locust they appear to be most fond of, pro.
badly on account Of the great tenderness OF
| these trees.
Among the locusts there are two kinds Of
musicians, one called the screecher" from
the discordant character of It's notes the
other the " organist," from its more harmo-
NOUS tone. They are again divided into
| the black and red locusts; the former, the
screecher, is the stronger, and is avoided
by the latter, the organist.
They have many enemies, among which
may be enumerated squirrels, birds, Though
when the locust is large the latter generally
let them alone,) swine, dogs, rats and cats.
All these prey upon them with avidity, but
their most inveterate foe is the sand wasp,
who will attack them wherever found. At
taching himself to their bodies, he rarely
fails in killing them, and it is most probable
that all the tales of stings inflicted by locusts
may be charged to the account of this in
sect, as it is now believed that the locust
cannot sting.
When compared with the African locust
the American mole locust is comparatively
harmless to vegetation, as it is now held to
be the better opinion that il subsists upon
moisture alone, the destruction which they
cause being traced to the deposition by the
female OF its eggs in the tender branches
and shoots Of trees aud bushes, for which
purpose it is provided with a strong, sharp
injector, with which it perforates the bark
and deposits its eggs, of along, oblong shape,
in the sap. In a few days the egg is matur-
ed, when minute .fdc-simi of its parent,
in a chrysalis state, comes forth and de-
scends to the earth, which it penetrates to a
considerable depth, where it resides, usually
in the vicinity Of water, until the time ar
rives for it to appear, enjoy its brief exist.
ence, and propagate its species.
The chrysalis upon descending from tree
or plant does not always enter the earth
where first reached, but will often travel Il
great distance to find soil more satisfac-
tory or better adapted to its necessities.
When it energies from the ground, which
it generally does after rain that has soft.
ened the soil, it seeks shelter or support,
where it remains until the shell which GOV,
crs it hardens, when, with n muscular exer-
ton, rent is made in the back of its GOV
time it is small and of light color, with
delicate, whitish wings; but 1t rapidly
grows and changes, one night being sufficient
to transform it into complete and full.
grown locust The male alone is the musi,
clan, and his music is performed by means
of cartilaginOus coats or membranes, acted
| upon by Il powerful muscle, which, by con-
| traction and extension, produce the sounds
with which all are familiar. 1t is only when
he has attained his full growth and strength
that he can produce these sounds, and as he
loses it they become less and less agreeable
until they cease altogether.
1t has been observed that they live in diff.
ferent tribes, and nhabt different sections
Of country, appearing in varions years, but
always after the lapse of the same number
Of years. These tribes are of various sizes,
some having been observed that stretched
between well defined lines over immense
tracts of lands.