The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1923-05-31
montana State 'College)

lDloIlohs IL hdo OCOh dOl1AAiIOAy oOkOA
mined that ''dry weather is favorable
to grasshoppers" and it has beer
shown that "the worst outbreak
have occurred after or in connection
with a series of dry years.
AS general pests for all crops, the
grasshoppers are capable of causing
more loss in Montana than caused By
any other insect. Favorable condi.
tions during the recent few years
have afforded a chance for the native
species to become very abundant
over practically the entire state. II
is estimated that crop losses in many
localities would have been complete
had not effective leans of control
been used.
The four species most common in
Montana are the lesser migratory
grasshopper, warrior grasshopper
two-striped grasshopper and the big
headed grasshopper.
The young insects hatch in late
May or early June and work their
way to the surface of the ground. AS
the tiny grasshoppers grow they mott
or cast off the outer covering, from
time to time, and when fully grown,
so to so days after Matching, they
undergo the final mott and appear
as adult winged grasshoppers.
The warrior grasshopper, although
1t feeds over extensive areas, deposits
its eggs owe a comparatively small
acreage. Because the newly Matched
warriors are punched in spring, this
species has been more easily con-
trolled than has the lesser migratory
species.
No important crops grown in Mon
tana are immune to grasshopper at
tacks. Spring grains just coming
out of the ground often are COM
pletely eaten down and kept down by
the young ones. Crops like winter
wheat and rye, which are farther adj
vanced when the grasshopper injury
starts, often are stripped of every
leaf and the heads of the grain at
tackled later. Barley that has missed
early damage may have the entire
heads chopped off. An annoying
damage is the cutting of Irvine on
grain, both before and after it is in
the shock.
Experiments owe many years have
shown that poisoned bran mash is the
most effective means of grasshopper
control. During the extensive grass
hopper campaigns of 1920-22 more
than 10000 tons of poisoned bait was
used in Montana with uniformly good
results. 1t is certain hat this bran
mash will give practically 100 per
cent control where used properly.
On this farm page, for the next few
walks will hn cfnriQo from fho Man.
tana Experiment station on the life
history, habits and methods of con-
troll of the grasshoppers in Montana.
The next article will deal with ma
terials used in the poisoned bran
mash, emergency formulate, the use
Of sawdust in place of bran, methods
Of mixing and similar subjects.
For the sake Of those farmers who
may wish to clip out and save a des-
OF the four most important
species in Montana, the
following outline is given in a cir
issued by State Entomologist R.
\. Cooley and by his assistants, J. R.
oarer and A. L. Strand:
The Lesser Migratory Grasshopper
is one of the most common
injurious grasshoppers in North
America. When abundant it migrates
ometimes covering many miles. The
.verage length is slightly over an
nch. The general color when fresh
brownish gray, but as the season
,dvances the color darkens and may
ave an olive tinge. Some specimens
ave a distinctly yellowish appear
nee. On the collar on each side is
distinct patch of black which also
forward on the head as far
8 the eye. The hind tibiae (the
)ng slender terminal portion of the
ind legs) are generally rather
red, but may be yellowish,
reenish, or even blue.
The Warrior Grasshopper-Like ]
he lesser migratory grasshopper, ]
lis species is very widely distribut-
i. 1t is often injuriously abundant
Montana. 1t is a strong flier but !
oes not make as long flights as the I
,sser migratory grasshopper. Aver I
ging a little over an inch in length, !
Is about the same size as the lesser I
ligratory grasshopper. A sharp S
dye runs down the center of the 7
,llar just back of the head. Ash t
in color; a triangular black L
,ot behind the eye, a more or less '
area on the collar and back C
the eye; variable black spots on a
wings and a light stripe on the S
oper part of each wing, running
ON the collar backward until 1t q
Gets the similar line on the other y
ing. This species varies greatly in n
'lor, some specimens being light 1;
brown and without spots on "
Q wings. The tibae generally are n
ddish. a
The T~wo-Striped Grasshopper- n
lis again is a very widely distribut-
species, common and often 1nju- tt
ous in Montana. It is a lowland II
a%sshopper, more often found In b
'undance in denser vegetation such b.
clover, alfalfa, and hay fields. 1t CT
larger than the other species dis al