May 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S. W. 417 



be distinguished by the bright yellow colour of the I'use of tlie hind wings 

 and a broad central band of dark brown. Occasionally it is harmful in the 

 vineyards and gardens in New South "Wales and Victoria. 



Fig. 5. 

 Yellow Winged Grasshopper 



{Locvfta danicn). 



Causes of Increase ?.nd Decrease. 



Dry conditions apparently favour the development of grasshoppers, and 

 with a series of dry seasons the grassbop,ic. s are able to increase i-apidly until 

 wet seasons come, or the increase of internal parasitps (flies), parasitic mites, 

 intt-rnal worm j^ai'asites [Gordius spp.), predaceous insects (beetles, &c.), and 

 insectivorous biids have their effect. The decrease of native in.sectivorous 

 birds through useless shooting and other causes is probably directly aiding 

 the increase of grasshoppers. Ibis, bustards (plain turkeys), wood swallows, 

 even crows and magpies, are useful in destroying grasshoppers. Ti.e ibis 

 seems particularly fond of them, and flocks of these birds may be seen feeding 

 on the hoppers, and following the swarms day by day. 



Increased settlement and clearing in the central and western districts has 

 made the effect of grasshopper swarms more noticeable. In good seasons 

 there is grass enough for both hoppers and stock, but the presence of the 

 grasshoppers is felt severely during a scarcity of grass. 



Remedies used over limited areas. 



It may be well to l^riefly enumerate methods found moi'e or less successful 

 here and in America in destroying or checking swarms attacking croi:)«, 

 orchards, vineyards, and gardens : — 



Scarifying egg-patches in the autumn, to expose the eggs to birds, insects, 

 and frost. 



Where the hoppers are noticed hatching thesse swarms should be destroyed 

 at once by spraying, burning over, or use of rollers. 



W hen young wingless hoopers are advancing on the crops, trenches, or 

 cloth fencing 2 or 3 feet high, are made as temporary barriers to accumulate 



