6 MONTANA EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 504 



Counh'. Tliis aroa does not have a continuous infestation but contains 

 most of tlie concentrations and pockets of lieavy population in the state. 

 Again the biggest increase in any one species is prol)al)ly in Aulocara elliotti, 

 which caused severe damage on ranges in Golden \'alley, Stillwater, and 

 Broadwater counties. Camnula pelhicida caused a good deal of damage 

 to ranges in Beaverhead Count^^ Scattered infestations of various other 

 species were found in some of the other western counties. Melanophis 

 occidentalis and Melanoplus mexicanus were present in greater than usual 

 numbers o\'er much of the western half of the state. The eastern part of 

 the state experienced only ver\- light damage and is comparatively free of 

 grasshoppers. 



Outlook for 1955 



It would appear that we are either approaching or experiencing a 

 general upward trend in grasshopper numbers. It is, of course, impossible 

 to accurately predict grasshopper infestations, but, in the light of the current 

 upsuing in grasshopper numbers, we may be entering a period when we 

 should expect a large increase with a resulting increase in the amount of 

 damage on cropland and range land. The numbers of grasshoppers present 

 could possibK' reach outbreak proportions in a year or two if favorable 

 conditions continue to persist. 



OTHER IMPORTANT PESTS 



MORMON CRICKETS {Anabrus simplex) 



Mormon crickets were present in greater numbers in 1953 tlian in 

 1952. Light to moderate infestations occurred in restricted areas of 

 Powell, Big Horn, Carbon, and Chouteau counties. Some gregarious bands 

 were reported in Big Honi and Carbon counties and some in the upper 

 Blackfoot River Valley. In 1954 the number of crickets present, both in 

 gregarious bands and in scattered infestations, increased greatb". Bands 

 were reported in at least eight different spots in the state. The biggest 

 concentration of crickets was in the Pryor Gap area of Big Horn County. 

 Other gregarious bands were reported from eastern Big Horn Count\' in the 

 vicinitv of Kirby. Another large infestation occurred in the upper Blackfoot 

 \'alley in the vicinity of Ovando and Helmsville. Crickets were also reported 

 from Blaine, Judith Basin, and Golden Valley counties. Generally, scat- 

 tered crickets were encountered over a good many of the counties in the 

 western part of the state at higher elevations. Approximately 19,000 acres 

 were baited in 1954 to combat crickets. About 11,000 acres of this baiting 

 was done in Big Horn County and the remaining 8,000 acres in northern 

 Powell Counts'. The outlook for 1955, as regards Mormon crickets, appears 

 to indicate that we can expect an increase in numbers if favorable condi- 

 tions continue to persist. 



