The Bulletin. 61 



proof, sticky substance which cements them together into bent flask- 

 shaped masses. Each female lays from two to three groups of eggs. 

 These remain over winter in the ground and hatch the following 

 spring. 



The nymphs which hatch from these eggs resemble in a general 

 way the full-grown grasshopper. They have large heads in com- 

 parison to the rest of the body and the wings are represented by 

 short, thick pads. These nymphs become full-grown about the first 

 of September, when the adults pair and lay eggs for the following 

 year. 



Birds of various kinds are serious enemies of grasshoppers, but 

 perhaps the most important enemy is the fungus disease. In the 

 fall especially it is not an uncommon sight to see dead grasshoppers 

 which have been killed by this fungus, clinging to tall weeds or 

 grasses. The larvae of blister beetles, as mentioned above (page 55), 

 are important enemies of grasshoppers, living as they do on their 

 eggs. 



The general habits of grasshoppers are too well known to need 

 discussion. Their range of food plants seems to include all low-grow- 

 ing green vegetation. 



Control. 



Preventives. — During serious outbreaks Grasshoppers may be con- 

 trolled to a great extent by fall or winter plowing, as this tends to 

 break up the egg cases and expose them to the weather. If the land 

 is plowed deeply either the eggs are exposed or are buried so deeply 

 that the young nymphs on hatching are unable to reach the surface. 

 Frequently, however, during such outbreaks, the eggs are laid in waste 

 places which cannot be plowed. Under such conditions recourse 

 must be had to some of the following remedies : 



Remedies. — Tobacco sprayed by arsenates as recommended for 

 Horn Worms (page 30) is usually sufficiently protected against these 

 pests. However, either poison bran made as directed for Cutworms 

 (page 45) or "Criddle Mixture" made by poisoning horse droppings 

 according to the following formula — one part of Paris green, 60 parts 

 horse droppings and adding two parts of salt dissolved in water 

 (Chittenden) — may be used in very severe cases. The Grasshoppers 

 are attracted by the salt in the mixture and secure enough poison to 

 kill them. Turkeys and guineas, if allowed to range over the fields as 

 recommended under Horn Worms (page 30), will usually keep 

 Grasshoppers in control also. 



Katydids. 1 



(Order Orthoptera.) 



The peculiar rasping call of Katydids is a familiar sound on warm 

 autumn evenings, and Katydids are more familiar to most people by 



1 Scudderia spp. 



