GRASSHOPPERS ON SUGAR BEETS AND TRUCK CROPS. 9 
and feed until grown, when they tear their way out, killing the 
grasshopper. ‘These flies become very abundant in the fall of years 
of severe grasshopper outbreaks. 
Toads, practically all lizards, and some snakes, feed to a consider- 
able extent on grasshoppers. Cats and ground squirrels have been 
seen to catch and eat those of the larger species. Birds, practically 
all of which feed upon grasshoppers, destroy large numbers of both 
young and adults. 
In some places chickens, turkeys, and guinea fowl are raised to 
catch them, constituting one of the most practical means of checking 
their outbreaks. 
The chinch-bug fungus is known to kill large numbers of grass- 
hoppers. In localities of eastern and central Kansas the differential 
and two-lined grasshoppers were almost wiped out by this disease 
during the fall of 1911. While the Bruner grasshopper was maturing 
during June of 1913, many nymphs and adults were killed by it. 
Reports of grasshoppers dying in weStern Kansas during the same 
period indicated a widespread outbreak of the disease. Its pres- 
ence among the grasshoppers is easily recognized, as the dead insects 
remain clinging to the tips of weeds and grass, sometimes several in 
a cluster. 
CONTROL MEASURES. 
The control measures herein recommended are the most effective 
that have been tried in Kansas during the years 1911 to 1914, and 
when carefully applied the value of the crop saved will be several 
times the cost of application. These measures come under two 
heads: (1) Those for destroying the grasshopper eggs, and (2) those 
for destroying the young and adult grasshoppers. 
DESTRUCTION OF THE EGGS. 
PLOWING. 
If egg-infested land requires plowing for the next crop, no other 
treatment need be given. However, the plowing should be at least 
6 inches deep and should be finished as much before April 15 as pos- 
sible. This covers the eggs so deeply that the young can not get out 
when they hatch. 
HARROWING AND DISKING. 
If plowing is unnecessary for the following crop, the eggs can be 
destroyed with little expense by stirring the ground to a depth of 
about 2 inches by March 1. This breaks and crushes many capsules 
and exposes others to the attacks of enemies and disease, as well as 
to drying and freezing. In clean ground that is soft enough a heavy 
harrow will stir the soil sufficiently. Three or four sections drawn 
