The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1875-05-19
THE GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE.
A Most Interesting Paper on the Plague
md it's Habits.


Rnd it's Habits.
Mr.. John B. Wolff read the following
paper on the subject of the grasshoppers
which have devasted the Western couu-
try, to the American Farmers Club
In size and appearance the insect
closely resembles the smallest grasshop-
per of the Middle and Northern States,
which makes its appearance in the fall
In the corn-fields and meadows, some
times seriously injuring the corn leaves
large area. 1t differs from the latter
little in size and color, being lighter
and smaller. This difference is doubt
less due to local conditions, as climate
and food. 1t also differs essentially
from the Rocky mountain grasshopper
proper. The latter is permanent in
stitution, repeating itself from year to
year and age to age, within the mountain
range, and seldom descending to the
plains. In size, it is about half way be-
tween the smaller and larger species of
the Middle States. 1t is much the dark
est in color of any of this class of insects.
When flying it is still darker, owing to
the dark shade of the under wings it
differs also from all others in the pc
cuiar swapping, sharp sound made by
the striking of its wings when in motion.
During the months of July and August
the insects are 30 numerous that this
swapping sound becomes annoying to
travellers. After they have fed in the
morning, and rise on wing for the day,
they maintain an everlasting din until
| nightfall.
Of the special locality whence come
the devouring hosts but little is known
hax f.. - L.
comes from the north'and travels south.
From the best information can obtain
they have their principal breeding
grounds in the spurs and foothills Of
the northern extremities of the Rocky
mountain range. Here they find sea
son long enough, little rain, dry soil,
few natural enemies, and scanty yegeta-
tion, which latter determines the inter
walls of migration. It is known that in
their regular course they move some
times two or three years in succession,
and sometimes at intervals of several
years.
When the breeding period arrives
(July and September), they. address.
themselves at once to the work in hand.
During the evening and morning they
feed (they are good feeders); about 10
o'clock they rise, and remain on wing
until the afternoon; they then descend
and commence depositing their eggs
The female, with the extremity of her
body, bores into the hardest ground
hole the size of her body and about
three-fourths of an inch deep. AS the
dirt is loosened it is removed with the
hind feet, until it has attained the
proper depth. They seem to prefer the
very hardest ground; the roads of clay
and sand, trodden until seemingly as
hard as common brick, are the chosen
spots. These holes are so numerous that
the surface Of the ground has the ap-
pearance, of an uncapped honey comb.
Into each of these holes is deposited
eight to twelve eggs; each egg is encased
IN waterproof sac; the whole is again
covered with gelatinous substance re-
sembling glue. This may be intended
as an additional protection, or as food
for the newly Matched insect, to afford it
strength to dig its way out. This operation
is repeated from day to day for at least
two months, or until the cold weather
destroys their food, when they vanish as
If by magic. The holes are soon filled
with dirt, and the surface shows no sign
of the plague slumberipg just beneath.
Wet and cold seem to have no effect
whatever. The writer has flooded many
acres, and allowed the water to freeze on
the ground without any perceptible
damage to the eggs.
The direction and distances are de-
termined by the winds. They usually
rise in the wind which precedes the rain
clouds, and fly, Or rather are carried,
until the force is abated, when they come
down. If the feeding ground is favor
able, and the CESSATION period has ar
rived, they remain where they alight.
If otherwise they seize on thenext favor
able opportunity and move again. 1t
sometimes happens that the winds are of
short duration, and in such cases they
have moved as much as fourteen times in
n single season. The prevailing direc-
ton of the winds along the eastern slope
of the Rocky mountains favors q south
ern, southwestern and southeastern
direction. But any change in the air
currents after they rise will carry them
into Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas or Ne
braska, the distance being determined
currents. Their regular. direction is
South, with height variations. This is
indicated otherwise. After they have
left their original grounds, and deposited
their eggs in a new region, the young
from these eggs, rs soon as Matched,
move regularly southwark, leaping into
the water by millions. Many are thus
consumed by the fishes. Angling has
no sport in grasshopper years. Those
which take the water are washed out on
the bars apparently dead, but the warm
sun soon revivifies them, and they renew
their march and work of devastation.
They give no warning. The ear first
detects humming sound that swells
into volume, without distinctness, as
they approach. You stand and look to