42 



that previouslj^ wero occupied by local stockmen. Farther west, on 

 and across tlie divide between the Yellowstone River and the Gallatin 

 Valley, the same species that are causing the destruction in the eastern 

 jjart of tlie State have so increased in numbers that it is feared more 

 or less damage will be done during the summei- of 1904. 



The grasshoppers should not be held responsible for all the loss that 

 has been experienced in the grasshopper-ridden region. Coincidental 

 with the appearance of these insects in unusual numbers has been a 

 series of years in which the late snows and early rains have been 

 much less than in previous years, and apart from any direct or indi- 

 rect influence which the lack of these storms may have had on the 

 grasshoj)pers or their natural enemies, the small amount of moisture 

 has seriouslj^ interfered with the growth of the grass. 



No one species of grasshopper is alone the cause of the devastation 

 nor are the principal destroyers the same on the range as in the irri- 

 gated valleys. Aulocara elliottl Thom. was the most abundant species 

 on the hillsides, with 3felanoj)lus atlani.s Riley second and Cariiiiida 

 pellucida Scudd. third, but more local in its distribution. Besides 

 these were many other species, which varied greatly in abujidance in 

 different localities, dependent on a variety of causes. The first two 

 mentioned sj)ecies {Aulocara elliottl and Melanoplus attanis) together 

 made uj)on an average of about 60 per cent of all the grasshoppers on 

 the hillsides. 



The i)rincipal species that fed in the alfalfa fields is Melanoplus 

 hivittatus '^iay. With it was found also M. atlanis and various others, 

 while in the grain, which usually is grown on higher ground, were 

 found 31. atlanis and ^4. elliottl in about equal numbers. 



Though the entire affected region is within what has been known 

 -as the i^ermanent breeding ground of the Rocky Mountain migratory 

 locust, Melanoplus spretus\J\\\., not one specimen of this species was 

 taken during the season, nor has the writer been able to capture a 

 specimen during the five years that he has collected in all parts of 

 Montana. What has become of Melanoplus spretus? 



The writer has been unable to be of any i^ractical assistance to the 

 citizens of his State who have suffered loss on . account of grasshop- 

 pers. The use of arsenical poison or kerosene pans is absolutely 

 out of the question, except in the cultivated fields of the valleys, and 

 I)lowing or harrowing would be inadequate to a degree that provokes 

 a laugh. 



The use of contagious diseases seemed to be the only artificial 

 means that offered any hope of returns. Accordingly, through the 

 kindness of Pi'of. C. 1'. Gillette, a culture tube of the South African 

 fungus disease was secured and from it culture tubes were made and 

 sent out to persons requesting them. Nearlj^ 300 tubes were distrib- 

 uted, but, so far as we are now informed, absolutely no good was 

 accomplished. Besides these practical field tests, various other trials 



