GROWTH AND TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS 



55 



of their peregrinations into the crop is easily traced by the shot-hole appearance 

 of the leaves upon which they feed. The tender leaves of cocklebur are 

 always preferred by the grasshoppers in the early stages. Young Bermuda grass 

 is also a favorite food, and succulent grasses of all kinds are freely eaten. In 

 the third, fourth, and fifth stages, as grass, weeds, and even shrubs disappear 

 along the ditch banks and bayous, the crops of corn and cotton adjacent 

 begin to show signs of vigorous 

 attack, and the march of destruc- 

 tion commences. ... A few hours 

 before molting the grasshoppers 

 tend to congregate and become 

 sluggish. Molting varies as to 

 time, and slightly as to manner, 

 with different stages. In the early 

 stages less time is required, and 

 the operation occurs on the ground 

 or upon low bunches of grass and 

 weeds. Every effort of the grass- 

 hoppers at this time seems to be 

 to avoid conspicuity, and in doing 

 so spare themselves, in a man- 

 ner, enmity of parasites. After the 

 molting of the first, second, and 

 third stages it is not long before 

 the young grasshoppers are suf- 

 ficiently hardened to begin feed- 

 ing 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 

 reassumed. 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 uncom- 

 mon for the grasshoppers to drop 

 to the ground during the maneu- 

 vers of the process. The reason for the selection of the more exposed places 

 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 attention is that of the fully grown grasshoppers to seek the shade offered 

 by the growing plants during the hottest part of the day. 



FIG. 69. Nymph of last stage of differential 

 locust with cast skin, on tip of corn plant 



(Authors' illustration, United States Department 

 of Agriculture) 



