The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-01-07
LOCUST PLAQUES,

The Devastating Armies Fly In Clouds
Dense Enough to Obscure the Lish,
Of the sun-Ths Hoppsrs Thst coms
After the Crops Are Dsveursd.
There are several species or varieties
Of the migratory locust, which are
mostly to be found in dry. semitropical
countries. such as the south of Eu-
rope. Egypt. Syria and Morocco, for
their native home seems to be In the
countries bordering on the Mediterra.
mean, though migratory locusts are to
be found in regions as remote as South
Africa and South America. where they
form veritable scourge to the agri-
culturists. In Argentina. especially
the northern half Of the country. they
are very destructive. for they will an
initiate the farmers entire crop In a
few hours.
A locust invasion. writes John d.
Leckie In Chambers Journal Is an
event not easily forgotten. The first
sign of the approaching incursion Is
usually long, dark cloud low on the
horizon. But the dark cloud Is no
forerunner Of rain. Instead of the
precious liquid. which the farmer has
probably long expected In vain. 1t por-
tends the approach of his greatest en-
envy. the omnivorous locust.
AS the dark cloud comes nearer 1t Is
seen to be composed Of countless mil
lions Of locusts on whirring wings.
Soon the cloud appears overhead and
is sufficiently thick to obscure the sun.
which Is only seen opaquely. as
through a mist. although the sky is
cloudless and the air clear.
Now we are In the midst of dense
swarm of flying. whirring locusts.
which dash into our faces. enter our
houses and fill our rooms with their
presence. The air is simply alive with
them. All open wells must be instant
ly covered or they will be polluted.
Fowls and turkeys welcome the ad-
vancing hordes. They simply fatten on
the locusts as they run around ana
gobble them up. But this is no bless
ing to the farmer--fap from 1t. for the
flesh Of poultry becomes so tainted by
this form of diet as to be quite I'M
eatabIe. and even their eggs have an
unpleasant taste.
SO well Is this fact known that as
soon as the locusts make their appear
ance In the locality the price Of eggs
drops to one-half or one-third of their
former figure. and even then there are
few buyers. All the animals about the
farmyard seem to be affected adverse
ly. for even the horses have strong
aversion to eat grass which has been
polluted by the presence Of locusts. and
unless very hungry they viii not touch
It.
The advance Of the locusts takes
place as follows: First few pioneers,
the advance guard Of the vast army,
then the main body Of the army. host
which is as invincible as It is destruc-
tive. All true loeusts are migratory by
nature. for the simple reason that be-
ing gregarious in their habits. 1t would
be impossible for them 70 exist with
out continual migration.
The ground on which they settle Is
completely cleared in few hours. and
they must perforce seek other nelds
and pastures new. where they can re-
peat their depredntlons. For the same
reason the destruction which they ef
feet IL purely local. One district may be
devastated. while another u
few miles away Is altogether spared
from their presence.
When the I,rusts have eaten their
OIL the females commerce. to deposit
their eggs. which they do by milking
nm opening In the ground. III which
the eggs nre laid Tie infant locusts
soon make their appearance. scarcely
70 large az pea. hopping about IN
countless swarms. In this Stage Of /
their existence they have no winsA |
but progress BY hopping. While h |
his state that b, before thsir wings