10 GRASSHOPPERS IN GENERAL. 



were severe or general. To these facts add the statement that other 

 states have been visited since the migratory grasshoppers made their 

 last pilgrimage to Kansas, and it can be readily seen that Kansas by no 

 means stands first nor second, but stands eighth in rank as host for 

 this far-famed locust. 



This list does not take into account the presence of native grass- 

 hoppers. These have made their appearance at times in destructive 

 numbers in all of the territory named in this table. -Not only over 

 this western territory, but the New England states as well have suf- 

 fered from the voracious appetites of resident locusts. Grasshoppers 

 are spoken of historically in the East; they can be made "past tenses" 

 in Kansas. The purpose of this article is not to treat of the migra- 

 tory locusts, but those which nourish and die in the vicinity of their 

 birthplace. 



Grasshoppers belong to the order of insects known as Orthoptera, 

 or straight-winged insects, such as the cricket, katydid, and praying 

 horse. This order is divided into several families, of which the Ac- 

 rididse or grasshoppers form one. Since the subdivisions or subfami- 

 lies are classed according to habits as well as structure, it might be 

 well to mention them briefly, so that the casual observer may know 

 from the insect in hand whether or not it is a highly injurious form. 



One group, found more generally in low and marshy land, is char- 

 acterized by a very receding front, forming a sharp angle at vertex of 

 the head. This subfamily, Tryxalince, is not abundant enough to 

 cause serious damage. 



Common along the sides of roads and field is a dusky grasshopper, 

 showing as it flies a dark hind wing with white bordor. Frequently 

 it pauses in the air, flitting its wings before alighting. This is the 

 Carolina Locust (Dissosteira Carolina), or "dust-hopper," so called 

 from its fondness for roadsides and dusty places. This familiar insect 

 belongs to the subfamily (Edipodince, a group characterized by rough 

 prominent ridge on crest of prothorax, the hood-shaped part immedi- 

 ately behind the head. While these are injurious at times, they do 

 not, in this country, possess migratory instinct to any great extent. 



The next group, the Acridiincv, contains our most injurious forms. 

 The prothorax is usually smooth on top, the breast between front legs 

 usually extended into a tubercle. To this group belong those grass- 

 hoppers that migrate, and those that thrive well on cultivated crops 

 in the locality of birth. 



