PACKARD.] . THE LOCUST IN NEBRASKA IN 1876. 613' 



Mr. G. F. Dodge, of Glencoe, Nebr. As Mr. Dodge is an entomologist^ 

 liis testimony is of increased value : 



Glencoe, Nebr., Febnuiry 4, 1877. 

 Dear Sir: 



Since I have been here I have given more attention to the Caloptenua sprcius thaa 

 to all other insects together. The result of my observations has been that I have 

 formed a theory of the cause of immigration of this insect, which differs radically from 

 any yet put forth. My record of the insect's visitations runs like this : 



In 1873, C. spretu8 came from the south in May; remained a week or ten days ; deposited 

 eggs in large quantity at this place. I came here August 7 ; the insects had then about 

 all attained their wings. During their growth they had done much damage to crops, 

 destroying all the oats and corn whore they were atjundant. The insects did not move 

 until August 16, when the wind, which had been from the south continuously during 

 the month, veered round into the northwest. They arose about noon, and all left. 

 Others flew over, going south from that time until cold weather. Some eggs were de- 

 posited in the fall. 



In 1874, a few came from the southwest May 30, but only a few. May 10 the eggs 

 laid the fall before were hatching. They pupated about June 1, became imagines 

 about June 20, and went south with northerly winds June 30. July 23 immense swarm 

 alighted, coming from the northeast July 23 ; staid three days, and went south. I saw 

 no eggs deposited. Others went south in August, September, and October as usual. 



In 1875, they arrived in small quantity from southwest May 12 ; could be seen flying 

 north whenever we had a south wind, but especially on and after June 16. On that 

 date myriads came from the southeast, staid one night, and, the wind continuing fa- 

 vorable, went on in a northwesterly course. June 29 I first saw hoppers flying south. 

 After that they could be seen flying cither north or south, as the wind might bo, until 

 the lOfch of July, after which date they only appeared in the air when the wind came 

 from the north. 



In 1876, a very few came from the southwest May 14 ; saw some depositing eggs 

 about May 30. August 10 an immense swarm came from the northwest and staid a 

 week. The day they departed the wind began to blow from the northwest, changed 

 to north, and finally to northeast. The air was full of the hoppers all day. They 

 always changed their course to go with the wind. They left the ground full of 

 eggs. In these the embryo was formed at least a month before the ground froze. By 

 bringing eggs to the house and putting them in a warm place I have hatched them in 

 seven days. Some of the same that were not kept so warm, but merely kept from frost 

 and in the sun, have lain three weeks and do not hatch. 



I think the above notes substantiate my position, which is that spreius is double 

 brooded, rearing the first brood in the south, the second in the north ; and that it mi- 

 grates for this purpose, and not from hunget, as Eiley asserts. I believe also that they 

 are natives of the plains, and will always overrun this part of the country when a north 

 or southwest wind drives them a little off" their true north and south course during their 

 period of migration. I do not believe that they are more liable to attacks of parasites 

 here than elsewhere, and, indeed, think it not improbable that their present rate of in- 

 crease is due to their having found more nutritious food in the cereals upon which they 

 have fed for a few years past than thoy have known in the prairie-grass. A parallel 

 case is that of the Don/;;/iora 10-Zi«eata, which increased with such rapidity upon the 

 cultivated crops of the East. 



In the Kocky Mountains this grasshopper follows the same plan of migration with tho 

 first favorable wind after they get wings, as I have observed here. They were abun- 

 dant in Montana this year, and at my request an intelligent miner took notes of their 

 habits, which he has transmitted to me. My observations show that as a rule all ob- 

 taining wings prior to June 20 will fly north ; those becoming imagines after that date 

 will fly south. This date might vary as the spring was late or early. 



* « • ♦* # * 



Hoping to make myself useful next season, I remain, yours, truly, 



G. M. DODGE. 



The following statement regarding the appearance of the locust, in 

 Buffalo County, Nebraska, and the theory of its northwest origin, are 

 worthy of preservation in this Report : 



i5uuaio uounty, JNeorasKa, ana tne tn( 

 worthy of preservation in this Report : 



Buffalo County, Np:braska, August 8, 1876. 



Editors Country Gentleman : The all-prevailing theme, the all-absorbing topio 



on all occasions, is the grasshoppers. Their devastation in almost the entire portion 



of Western Nebraska is not only general but terrible. Their numbers are almost as 



countless as the sands on the sea-shore ; their powers of destruction seem to exceed 



