MONTANA INSECT PESTS, 1951-1952 5 



1952 SEASON 



This was a relatively low grasshopper year. A few scattered 

 light to moderate infestations of range and crop hoppers occurred. 

 Most of these infestations were localized in nature. Populations of 

 Melanoplus mexicanus, Metator pardalinus, Aulocara elliotti, and 

 Drepanopterna femoratum appeared to be below those experi- 

 enced during the previous three or four years. Melanoplus bruneri, 

 Camnula pellucida, and Chorthippus longicornus appeared to be 

 present in increased numbers as compared with the previous three 

 or four years. An infestation of Bruneria brunnea occurred in the 

 Dryhead area of Big Horn and Carbon counties. An infestation of 

 Asemoplus montanus occurred at approximately 6,000 feet on the 

 forest preserve in southern Ravalli County. The Asemoplus mon- 

 tanus appeared to be feeding on Stipa comata, Poa pratensis and 

 Bromus sp. 



OUTLOOK FOR 1953 



It would appear that we are either approaching or experienc- 

 ing a general low point in grasshopper infestation cycles. Un- 

 fortunately, grasshopper infestations are as yet largely unpre- 

 dictable. On the basis of past history of Montana grasshopper 

 cycles, only scattered light infestations are expected in 1953. If 

 conditions, which are as yet unknown, favorable to rapid grass- 

 hopper population increases should occur, the potential to start an 

 outbreak is now present. 



OTHER IMPORTANT PESTS 



MORMON CRICKETS (Anabrus simplex) 



Only one infestation of Mormon crickets was found or re- 

 ported in 1951. This was a moderate non-gregarious infestation in 

 Chouteau County, north of Shonkin, involving three to four sec- 

 tions. This infestation was re-checked in 1952 and it was found 

 that approximately the same area was infested; however, popu- 

 lations of crickets were much lighter and those present were for 

 the most part confined to the coulee bottoms. 



Three light to moderate Mormon cricket infestations were 

 found on and along the Big Horn Mountains in Big Horn and 

 Carbon counties in 1952. These infestations included about two 

 sections just north of Pryor gap, one section just south of Dryhead 

 Creek, and two sections on Grapevine Creek. 



Several gregarious bands of Mormon crickets were reported in 

 the upper Blackfoot River Valley in the general area around 

 Ovando, Helmville, and Lincoln in 1952. Unfortunately, these re- 

 ports were received late, and the area was not surveyed early 



