18 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



ing early in June Miid keep up their destructive work until Aujiust. 

 The young green hoppers, as they mature, acquire wings and asraine a 

 yellowish tint, thus causing the l^elief that there are two distiiict sj^ecies. 

 The largest brood appears early in the sunnnci-, and the greatest amount 

 of damage is done h^• the first of August. 



Fig. 16. — The differential grasshopper, Melanonlus diffevevtktUs 

 Thomas. ( Original. ) 



Distribution. — Especially abundant in the San Joaquin Valley, 

 though the species has a somewhat wider range throughout the State. 

 Outbreaks have been recorded at Newman and Los Banos in past 

 years. This year it was especially abundant in ^ladera County. 



Food Plants. — Practically all kinds of green vegetation, including 

 most of the forage and truck crops. Especially destructive to alfalfa. 

 Orchard trees and vineyards are also attacked, some trees and vines 

 being completely defoliated and many killed. 



THE CONSPICUOUS DEVASTATING GRASSHOPPER. 



M cldiKi/ihis dci'd.sfiiidr cuiisiiicims Scudd. 

 (Fig. 17.) 



General Appearance. — This is one of the smaller hoppers, averag- 

 ing about one inch in length. The general color is amber or brownish 

 with dark markings on the sides of the prothorax, on the tegmina and 

 hind femora on which there are three distinct spots and a dark tip. 

 The hind tibige are distinctly blue at their bases, gradually becoming 

 amber tow'ards the tips. The hind or true wings are transparent. The 

 antenna" are light amber. The young are lighter in color and usually 

 without markings. 



Life History. — A partially migratory species which at times works 

 from the foothills to the cultivated lands below. The eggs are deposited 

 in the ground in the foothills, which are the special breeding grounds. 

 Late in June the hoppers often become very destructive and though 

 they feed mostly upon the ranges, fruit trees and small crops in those 

 resfions are often comnletelv destroved. In the late summer and fall 



