10 



At least two such fungi have frequently been observed to 

 attack it, and at times, with such persistence as to materi- 

 ally lessen the hordes of insects in certain localities. Up 

 to the present time, however, no definite favorable reports 

 have been received of its successful artificial distribution. 



Mr. James writes that "Experiments made with the 

 'funous Carcarana' gave no definite results, although the 

 season was favorable for the action of the fungus, having 

 been humid almost continuously. There have been no man- 

 gas of locusts infesting the immediate locality of last year's 

 development of the fungus disease, but between this jDlace 

 and San Geronimo the evidence of hundreds of dead locusts 

 from a manga which was detained by stress of weather indi- 

 cates that the fungus had developed there, all being of the 

 characteristic bright red colour and more or less desicated, 

 notwithstanding the prevailing moist condition of the atmos- 

 phere." 



This would indicate that the fungus is still active in the 

 country, and that, under the proper conditions will take 

 hold of and destroy locusts. The SchiHtocerca paranenHh- 

 seems to be most subject to its attack, since but three other 

 species were found killed by it during the writers careful 

 search for others while in the country. These were ZonioiKxIa 

 farsata, Diponthm^ comiinotns and Bichrop/us clo)i(jatus all of 

 which are more or less abundant and inclined to become 

 destructive at times. These insects are figured in the second 

 portion of the present report. 



Other sjDecimens of the destructive locust that had evi- 

 dently been killed by another of the fungous diseases were 

 encountered by correspondents of the commission. Mr. 

 James writes that "several specimens of locusts were sent 

 to you by mail which had evidently died from the effects of 

 the growth of an external fungus of a light ash colour, 

 which almost completely enveloped the after part of the 

 body. This had been observed as a cause of death during 

 several years previous to your coming to the country, but none 

 were reported here during the period of your investigations. " 



