Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-06-13


In the Arabian fable the locust is repre-
sented as saving to Mohammed, eve are the
army of the Great Coo we produce ninety
nine eggs; if the hundred were completed
we should consume the whole earth and
also that which is in it" The moral OF
this fable presents truth which should
stimulate the tillers of the soil where
ever they are to use every effort
in their power to prevent the spread OF
these destroyers of crops. This can be done
by the organization of societies. especially
in tn districts infested, for the purpose OF
learning the natural history and habits OF
| the Acridids or family which comprises
the various species of locusts. In each dis
trict one or more persons should be selected
to note when and where the female locusts
have deposited their eggs. 1t is generally
conceded that the most etfectual means OF
preventing the spread OF locusts are: First
Natural agencies. Second-The destruc-
| OF the eggs Third-The destruction of the
| wingless young.
NATURAL REMEDIES.
Scientists place great reliance in the as
sistance rendered the tiller of the soil by
! the natural enemies of the locusts,
namely, the grubs (iarvn) of the
harpalus and telephorus Beetles the silky
mite (Tr0mbidi,,n sericuen), the locust mite
| "a. gryllarie), the red-tailed tachinco fly, the
sarcophaga flesh fly, the hair-worm Cor
dj1tS Gquatic,ts), the digger wasps, etc, which
| destroy millions of these pests in the
various stages of their existence.
THE DESTRUCTION OF EGGS.
Wherever the eggs are laid, if practicable
the ground should be plowed deep and the
egg masses turned below the surface as far
as possible; or, if irrigation is practicable, If
| the ground is flooded for a few DAYS the
eggs will rot. Where deep blowing is
not practicable, by light narrowing or other
means for breaking the surface the broken
masses of eggs will give the ground a
whitish color, and thus the eggs are eX-
| posed 10 their natural enemies; and by
bleaching in the sun, and being exposed to
| the rains and dews they will lose their
vitality. Wherever hogs and cattle can be
| turned into the fields where the eggs
| abound, most of these will be destroyed by
the roofing and tramping. In some Euro
| pean and Asiatic countries that suffer from
! locust depredations, rewards are paid by
| the Governments of q stated sum per kilo-
| gram, or other measure, for eggs gathered.
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE YOUNG wINGLEss
LoCUsTs.
When the young locusts appear in a
~ y
| the construction of deep, narrow bitches,
| with the shopping edge next the infested
grounds, and the steep or perpendicular
| side next the crop to be protected. In these
| bitches the baby locusts will collect in
large numbers and perish. The placing
/; of loose shaw or hay near the Matching
grounds, into which the young insects
gather for protection from the cold. when
they can be destroyed by burning" is an
other method. Where applicable, the
crushing of the insects by the use of
rollers, etc, may be resorted to- The above
are some of the means by which crops
have been preserved from the inyaSions of
| locust in States east of the Rocky noun
tains and in the older countries, where
| their incursions are far more frequent and
| disastrous than in California.
Particular attention should be given from
| the present time until next August to learn
where the eggs are deposited, 50 that a
thorough warfare may be made to prevent
the further spread of the locust armies. 1t
is thought by many that the young wing
less locusts which have infested districts in
! this county were Matched in the distant
foothills. Such is not the case; the young
locusts travel only few miles, especially
if there is plenty of food within their reach.
Without doubt those now in this part of
! llc Dtdle were udlClcu III the Ulllueuldle
vicinity of the grounds on which they were
| first noticed. Many devices have been tried
and proved successful to great extent by
individuals this season, all Of which will
be reported III due time, but at present the
most feasible remedies are the destruction
OF the eggs and the young WinglesS locusts.
To be fully successful the attack must be
general.
In examining the history and record of
locust invasions III States east of the Rocky
mountains and throughout the world, it is
gratifying 10 know that California seems 10
stand specially favored as compared with
almost any other locality or country that
can be selected, both as to infrequency of
their visitation, and the comparatively
slight injury caused by them.
PARASITE ENEMIES OF LocUsTs.
l. NJ. marlborough writes from Florin,
Sacramento county, as follows:
M1tlhe7c Cootc-DEAR SIR: 1 send herewith
several varieties of grasshopPer or locust such
MS we have among us at the present time, and
desire such information as you may be enabled
10 give me on the subject. Upon examination
and diSsectiDg the larger species or flyers q call
these large brown ones Flyers" because do
not think this variety comes from the small
hopper, or such of the small ones as we are
familiar With, you will notice emerging there
| from n worm or maggOt-Often as many as five
and from that down to one. These worms come
forth in a very lively manner and to all appear
| ances are as active as the hopper or locust
itself 1t is generally supposed that the grass
hopper or locust deposits its eggs and these i'll
| due season hatch. If this is so, whence comes
| this lively worm, and what comes of it? |
! notice that the ROseVille correspondent of the
| Auburn Republican credits this maggot with
| destroying the hopper and then itself becoming
| Il fy Can We then, look for deliVerence from
| all the species through the same means? So
| far as my observation goes, we have suffered
| little from the flying species, their numbers be-
! ing too limited TO cause any anxiety, the prin-
cipal rayages being done by the smaller and
more active ones.
! An early reply will greatly oblige.
| REpLY.-Package containing specimens
at hand and carefully examined. In one
of the flyers as you call them, find the
maggot of the tachina fly. and in Others
smaller specimens of maggots, probably a
smaller species of tachina fly. These flies
are parasitic in locusts, etc. The tachina
| flies fasten one or more of their eggs in
those parts Of the body OF the
| locustS that cannot be readily
reached by the jaws and legs OF
| their victim. and their being detached is
thus prevented. Generally they are de-
| posted on the shoulders or under the base
! of the wings In the course of few days
the eggs are Matched and produce small
| footless mageot which commences to fight
! for food by eating into the body OF its
victim. 1t is satisfied by eating only the
fatty matter, leaving the vital parts I'M
touched. The locust seldom dies before the
maggots have emerged from their burrow
to enter the ground, there TO pass their
transformation, but their presence in To-
! Gust is, however, the sure death OF the VIC
TINS. You may rest assured the maggots
in this case are friends of the farmers and
| orchardists.
The flies OF this genus resemble the COM
mon house-lly, but are larger and covered
with bristles. The species are all parasitic
on caterpillars, etc. They fasten their eggs
to the bodies of their victims with an in
soluble cement. The perfect insect appears
| in from 10 TO 80 days after the egg is laid.
Daily Bee Placer county furnished some
very fine specimens of the CicedS septendt-
c'tno, or so-called seventeen-year locust, in
1884. | am under obligations to w. &.
Williams for specimens found in his or
ard at LOOMS.