104 INSECT PESTS OF FARM, GARDEN AND ORCHARD 



doing so spare themselves, in a manner, enmity of parasites. 

 After the molting of the first, second, and third stages it is not 

 long before the young grasshoppers are sufficiently hardened to 

 begin feeding again, but after the molt of the fourth and fifth 

 stages, particularly the last molt, - some time is required to 

 extend the wings and dry and harden the body before feeding 



is resumed. The last molt 

 usually occurs on the upper 

 and well-exposed leaves of 

 corn and other plants upon 

 which they may be feeding, 

 though it is not uncommon 

 for the grasshoppers to drop 

 to the ground during the 

 maneuvers of the process. 

 The reason for the selection 

 of the more exposed leaves 

 for the last molt is obvious. 

 The bodies are large, and 

 rapid drying protects them 

 from fungous diseases which 

 lurk in the more shaded 

 and moist sections during 

 the months of June and 

 July. The last prominent 

 habit to which we call at- 

 tention is that of the fully 

 grown grasshoppers to seek 

 the shade offered by the 

 growing plants during the 

 hottest part of the day." 

 The hoppers become full grown about the first of July. The 

 adult is about 1 inches long, its wings expand 2\ inches, and 

 it is of a bright yellowish-green color. The head and thorax 

 are olive-brown, and the front wings are of much the same color, 

 without other markings, but with a brownish shade at the base; 



FIG. 73. Differential locust: last stage of 

 nymph with its cast skin on tip of corn 

 plant. 



