The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1921-07-08
GRASSHOPPERS
ARE CLASSIFIED

Grasshoppers are to be classified
among those insects which are always
present in greater or less numbers.
More or less damage is done every
year. However, during the past few
years we have had an unusual number
of these insects in portions of the state
and the season of 1920 was one of the
worst in this respect that we have had
in many years. In all, so far as we
know, approximately 100000 acres of
Montana lands were seriously affected.
Our records show that largely under
the guidance of our men approximately
36,790 acres were poisoned, which re-
suited in a saving of $634,474.49.
We received numerous appeals for
help but were able to comply with only
a part of them. Much more could have
been done if we had another assistant.
Our method is to cooperate with the
county agents in grasshopper control
as in the control of other pests. 1t
should be realized that the control of
insect pests on a large scale in such a
specialized subject that the county
agent is in need of the assistance Of
a specialist. The county agent who
has once gone through an outbreak of
grasshoppers can conduct campaigns
against these insects but the insect
pests of any state are variable. Be-
sides those which WE always have,
those present in mi season may dis
appear and others come in from other
places, so that the county agent is
continually confronted with new prob
lens with which he is not familiar.
1t is very desirable that the legisla-
ture provide for the employment of
another deputy for this office, as
thereby we will be able to serve the
farmers of the state in a much larger
way.
The species concerned in the grass
hopper experiences of 1920 were main
ly the warrior grasshopper (Camnula
pellucida) and the lesser migratory
locust (Melanoplus atlanis), together
with the two-striped locust (Melano-
plus b%ivittatus). These were the
species which during the summer
months appeared in enormous numbers
in various parts of the state.
1t is of interest to note that early
in the season, beginning in the latter
part of February, we received re-
ports, particularly from northeastern
Montana, that young grasShoppers
were already HdLCIliuS III iaiSt uti
bers. Knowing that the usually de
structive species did not appear as
early in the season as this, steps were
taken to inquire into the situation and
it was found that certain species which
are not ordinarily looked upon as pests
had appeared in very unusual numbers
The two species referred to are Strip
leura decussata reported to the farm
; ers that we believed these insects
would not develop seriously injurious
numbers and the experience of the
season later bore out our prediction
Attention is being given to improv,
ing the arsenic bran mash formula
which is used in the control of these
insects and at the same time reducing
the cost of the materials in the form
mula as much as possible. This FIX.
pertinent Station has found that amy
acetate, or the so-called 'banana OIL
{ may be used in place of ground lem
ons or oranges and that the use OF
this chemical not only reduces the cos,
materially and increases the effect
l ~iveness of the formula but also cuts
t down the labor fully one-siXth. We
do not possess complet figures re
garding the amount of amyl actate
used last year but the incomplete fig
ures which we have clearly show Z
definite saving in materials alone OF
= over $4,000.