[116] REPORT UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



cover the snn and that eat up the country in a day or two— the red-legged rascal that 

 strikes terror into the hearts of the Kansas and Colorado farmers— does not, as far as 

 my observations go, ever come into the San Juan basin in migratory swarms. At least 

 for five years it has not, although immediately east of the mountains he has twice, 

 within that period, eaten up all green things. The Utes say that they have never seen 

 the 'hopper here in migratory swarms, by which I mean the country drained by the 

 San Juan and its tributaries. Nevertheless they are abundant enough. As I write 

 by the open window, I can hear thousands of them in the air and see them flitting 

 about in the sunlight, white specks on a blue sky. In the lower valleys they have 

 never done any harm to the crops, although they are numerous, except in the Spring, 

 when hatching out in warm sandy places, the young 'hoppers at times will eat off 

 the wheat and oats. In August and September I have seen thousands of females 

 depositing their eggs near timber line ; but never west of the divide of waters here 

 have I observed them migratory or in swarms. Even when they are most abundant, 

 especially about this time of year, and the air at times seems filled with them, they 

 do not devour growing crops nor migrate in masses. Immediately east of here, 

 however, it is quite otherwise. At Taos, they have, within three weeks past, as I 

 am informed by Mexicans lately from that place, devoured every acre of corn and 

 wheat and completely destroyed all crops. They appear especially numerous near 

 timber line about this time of year, and I have often seen the surface of lakes liter- 

 ally covered with the thousands that have fallen into the water, until the trout could 

 not be induced to look at one. I think it very likely that the swarms that appear in 

 the valley of the Rio Grande may come from here, although I have no ocular proof of 

 the fact ; but however that is, it is certain they are very numerous here, breed here in 

 vast numbers, but never do any damage to speak of. Possibly, however, when the 

 country gets more thickly settled and larger areas of growing crops are offered to their 

 voracious appetites, they may change their lines of march and favor us with a visit. 

 [T. M. Trippe, Howardsville, August 3, 1877. 



No 'hoppers have appeared in the valley or plain east of the mountains to deposit 

 eggs since you were here. In South Park and San Luis Park many hatched at differ- 

 ent times during the season, and some damage was done to crops ; but, so far as I have 

 heard, no eggs were deposited.— [James C. Shattuck^ Denver, October 19, 1877. 



Wet MouNTAiisr Valley, October 31, 1877. — The hay-crop in some parts of Wet 

 Mountain Valley was much better than was anticipated when we commenced cut- 

 ting, the yield exceeding that of last year, while in other parts it was lighter than 

 on previous years. There was but little farming done here the past summer, all seem- 

 ing to fear the pests which have for a few years ravished our valley. I fancy it will 

 be carried on quite extensively the coming year, as the grasshoppers did not deposit 

 their eggs with us, and all feel confident they have bidden us a long good-bye. — [ Col- 

 orado Farmer. 



This section of country. Southwestern Colorado, filled up rapidly last year, and has 

 now a large farming population. The Taos Valley, opening up in a fan-like manner 

 from New Mexico, was devastated last summer, and many eggs were deposited. Incur- 

 sions of grasshoppers are feared in the San Luis Park and adjacent sections from this 

 direction. — [W. Holly, Animas City, January 5, 1878. 



