The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-08-02
Colorado Grasshoppsrs.

A correspondent OF the Sun, under
date of Denver, Col. May -. writes:
Already one Is beginning to hear COM
plants obout the influx OF destructive
grasshoppers into Colorado. Ono oi
the best informed lncn on this subject
in Denver is Mr.. William N. Bycrs,
who. on being asked to give some
information concerning those unwcl-
come visitors. said:
81 first made the acquaintance OF the
destructive gr;lssloppcr in 1852. about
the lst of August upon the plains OF
northern Ctah and southern Idaho, at
which time they were lying cast.
northeast in swarms that obscured the
sun. Their breeding places may be in
any part of this arid portion (thc west
crn halD of the United States. The
great swarms that attain maturity and
clnigrate are Matched. doubtless, with
in attitudes ranging from 1000 to 1000
feet above sea Lowell. At 1000 to
5000 feet they may 50 far mature as to
make short flights and remove to new
localities not far distant. Above 8, 600
feet they seldom. if ever. become nble
to fly, though ] have seen myriads of
them Matched at 10000. ll,OOO and even
up TO 10000 feet above the sea. Prob
ably they did not attain more than one
third of their growth before being de-
stroycd by frosts and SHOWS.
"lhe most favorable Matching
grounds are the plain, like this cast OF
the mountains. upon which are situated
Denver. Pueblo Cheyenne. ETC.. from
1000 to 5000 feet above the sea.
Where they settle down to propagate
their species they must have sub.
stance; hence there must be fertility
and vegetation. As To the latter they
are not very particular, but are sure
to take the best there is. The deposit
of eggs begins In August and CONTINUES;
until stopped by severe frosty weather.
say in October. They choose. first.
plowed ground; second. comparatively
loose sandy or sravclly land, partially
but not thickly covered with grass or
other vegetation; third. the most fav-
orablc spots where they may happen to
be, and from which they are not ablc
TO get away. The female. with her
neither extremity, perforates hole in
the ground about as dcepas the length
OF her body, and deposits cluster of
eggs that resemble in size aud form
the eggs of the caterpillar moth attach
cd to the twis Of IN apple Or cherry
tree, except tha! in the place of the
twis there is q hollow space. They
arc ccmentcd together by a
glutinous substance, which is
doubtless impcrvious to water,
The eggs deposited. the hole
above them is soon filled and levellcd
by the wind or rain. In u warm win
ter young grasshoppcrs are frequently
found Matching out ut various
times. The main hatching begins
about the second week in May ana
lasts about month. At higher alti-
tudcs, from 1000 To l2.Oo0 feet. the
Matching continues from the above
dates until the last OF August, or even
into September, according to tho alti-
tude.
THE fight of moving swarms is
governed mainly by tho prevailing
winds, although they seem TO be con-
trolled somewhat by choice Or laws oi
their own. A change of wind. Or par.
ticularly sudden chill, even slight.
brings IL flight of them quickly to the
ground; but If the next day is fair and
warm. and the wind favorable. u.
again circle into the open air and re-
sumo their flight These same flights
destroyed the late crops in easter.