young have no wings ; later wing-pads appear, too short for flight ; 

 after last molt full wings are developed. This species distinguished 

 from the common Red-legged Locust by longer wings, the wings ex- 

 tending one-third their length beyond tip of abdomen. In the male 

 spretus the last joint of the abdomen turns up like the prow of a canoe 

 and is notched, forming two tubercles at tip ; while in the Red-legged 

 Locust, MelanoplusfemuT-rubrum, the last joint of the abdomen turns 

 up like the stern of a barge, is broad at top and not notched. See 

 plate V, figure 11. Females of both species are distinguished by 

 the four tips, the ovipositor, at the end of the abdomen. 



Of all the destructive locusts of North America, this one has caused 

 the greatest amount of damage and attracted the most public atten- 

 tion. The reports of the United States Entomological Commission, 

 especially the second, contain full accounts of its life-history and 

 habits. 



This locust is a permanent resident of the Rocky mountain region, 

 from northern New Mexico to northern limits of the prairies on the 

 North Saskatchewan river. This range extends so as to include the 

 greater portion of Wyoming, part of northwestern Nebraska, western 

 part of South Dakota, half of North Dakota, and Manitoba, in British 

 America. It is not always found in destructive numbers over this 

 area, but always in a healthy condition. Adjoining this region is a 

 strip about 100 miles wide called the " sub-permanent " region. Here 

 it is nearly as healthy and about as abundant as upon the " perma- 

 nent" range. Beyond this strip is a greater extent of country known 

 as the "temporary" region. This region covers the remainder of the 

 states named above, extends into Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, 

 Arkansas, Indian territory, and Texas. This temporary region is oc- 

 casionally visited by moving swarms, and consequently has suffered 

 most from ravages of this locust during past years. 



THE LESSER MIGRATORY LOCUST. 



{Melanoplus atlantis, Riley.) 



Next to Melanoplus spretus this is the most destructive of our 

 North American locusts. It has occurred in destructive numbers in 

 various parts of the interior, eastward but chiefly northward. 



As the name implies, this locust is somewhat smaller than spretus. 

 Though closely related, it is distinguished from spretus by its smaller 

 size, darker and more marbled coloring ; has proportionally shorter 

 and narrower wings. It is migratory in habit, but to a less degree 

 than spretus. It inhabits a much larger range than spretus, yet pre- 

 fers hilly, wooded or mixed country to open prairies. 



