PROCEEDINGS, 1916. 21 



for 1917 which has been formulated from numerous observations and small experi- 

 ments during 1915 and 1916 was thus fortunately followed by Mr. Marshall in his^ 

 orchard in Beaconsfield with entire success. 



Small experiments with other spraying materials and combinations indicate the- 

 possibility of greatly improving the present sprays as indicated here and as published 

 in the spray calendar for 1917, but as they were tried out on a small scale only in 1916- 

 it does not seem desirable to publish the results or make recommendations without 

 further experiments on a larger scale. 



The writer is indebted to Prof. W. H. Brittain for advice and suggestions during 

 the season on spraying problems. 



THE ACRIDIDAE OF NOVA SCOTIA. 



By C. B. Gooderham, Truro, N. S. 



THE Acrididae is one of the families of Saltatorial or jumping Orthoptera, out- 

 ranking in numbers and importance all other families of this order. It only 

 contains the short-horned grasshoppers with which we are so familiar. Every- 

 where we go in the field or pasture, riverside or roadside, some member of this family 

 will be seen jumping about during the summer. 



In some localities these insects appear in large numbers, causing considerable dam- 

 age to our hay and grain crops. This loss is spread over such large areas that it is often 

 passed unnoticed in our province, but in some other provinces and in the United States 

 methods of control have to be practiced against them. 



LIFE HISTORY. 



All of our Acrididae, except the sub-family Tettiginae, pass the winter in the egg 

 stage. These eggs are deposited during the fall months, from August till late October. 



The female selects a suitable place either in soft soil or old decaying logs or stumps. 

 She bores a hole with her strong ovipositing plates and deposits her eggs about an inch 

 below the surface. The eggs are laid one at a time and m regular order. During the egg- 

 laying process a gelatinous fluid is emitted around them, which mixes with the surround- 

 ing material and hardens, forming a protecting capsule or sac around the eggs. When 

 the eggs are all deposited the insect slowly withdraws her abdomen, gradually filling 

 up the opening with a mixture of fluid and dust, mixing it with her ovipositing plates. 



About the third week in May the eggs begin to hatch, and lively little nymphs can 

 be seen almost everywhere. They have no wings, but in all other respects are similar to 

 the adults. 



Born with a strong pair of jaws and a voracious appetite the little hopper com- 

 mences to feed on the tender grass which surrounds him on every side. In a very short 

 time the young nymph appears to be sick and refuses to hop or eat. If it is watched for 

 a short time a wonderful change is seen to occur. The skin splits along the back and 

 gradually the young hopper emerges from its old skin, which is left hanging to the grass 

 or other object upon which it was resting. This change takes place five different times 

 during the nymphal stage of the hopper and at the fifth moult it emerges as a fully de- 

 veloped grasshopper. 



The sub-family Tettiginae passes the winter either in the nymphal stage or as 

 adults. The eggs are laid during the spring and summer, hatching in a short time; those- 

 that hatch late pass the winter as nymphs. 



