76 



AVAILABLE INSECT FOOD FOR GROUSE CHICKS 



forms were gathered by repeated sweepings with a net. Four or more plots of each kind 

 were laid out in each of the 12 cover types. In all, samplings were taken fidiii 110 plots on 

 (Connecticut Hill and from 54 on the Adirondack area. 



The numbers of insects and allied forms of each order that were collected are shown in 

 table 119. 



The estimated i)o])ulation of insects on Connecticut Hill in June, 1936 was 280,000 per 

 acre, while that of the Adirondack area was 326,000 per acre. In June, 1937 there were 

 334,000 per acre on the former area. The three most prominent orders of insects were the 

 flies (Diptera), the ants, bees and wasps, etc. (Hymenoptera) and the aphids. leaf-hoppers, 

 etc. (Homoptera). Spiders lAraneida) were likewise abundant. The eight orders that 

 supply the bulk of the animal food eaten by grouse chicks were similarly the eight found most 

 numerous in this study. 



Collections made during rainy weather averaged about one fourth less than those made on 

 dry days. Both very hot and very cold days produced noticeably fewer insects than when the 

 temperatures were normal. It is noteworthy that in 1936 the marked deficiency in rainfall 

 tended to lower considerably the insect population. Their numbers decreased during rainy 

 weather, but required normal precipitation to attain optimum proportions. The year follow- 

 ing, 1937, was characterized by a much higher rainfall, and the study for that year resulted 

 in a much higher take of insects, as can be seen in the preceding table. Although there was 

 little change in the relative positions of the various orders, in most instances the individuals 

 present were much more numerous. 



Insects proved to be far more abundant in the open and overgrown, or brushland. types of 

 cover, as well as along woods edges, than they were in the woodlands. Heavy pure coniferous 

 stands showed the least abundance as would be expected, having less than half the lowest 

 number found in the mixed woods type and less than one quarter of that characteristic of 

 the overgrown land. The average number of insects and allies per plot in the different cover 

 types on each of the areas is shown in table 120. 



I'M'.l.l. 120. THE AVEI^VGE NUMBEH OF INSECTS AND ALLIES COLLECTED KHOM 3- 



FOOT AND 10 FOOT PLOTS IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF COVER ON THE 



CONNECTICUT HILL ARUV BETWEEN JUNE 2— JULY L lOSfi; IN 



VICINITY OF THE ADIRONDACK ARE\ BI:T\VFEN 



JUNE 9-JULY 11, l'):5(. 



*Not Bamplod on th« Coonecticut Hill area. 

 dNot aampliMl on Llio Adirondack area. 



