REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I915 6l 



An examination the next day, the 28th, disclosed a very few dead 

 grasshoppers and some sick ones. On June 2d it was evident that 

 there had been a marked reduction in the pests, although com- 

 paratively few dead ones were found. This was probably due in 

 part to the absence of shelter and also to the abundance and activity 

 of ants. 



This poison can be quickly and economically applied with a potato 

 sprayer and in fields abundantly infested with young grasshoppers, 

 especially if there be considerable clover, it is perhaps the most 

 satisfactory method of destroying the insects. The dilution of the 

 poison is such that it is not dangerous to either plants or stock if used 

 as directed, though precaution should always be taken to prevent 

 cattle from feeding freely in sprayed fields imrnediately after the* 

 treatment. 



The Kansas bait is one of the most satisfactory poisons for half- 

 grown and larger grasshoppers. The following is the formula 

 generally recommended: 1 pound of Paris green, 20 pounds of bran, 

 2 quarts of cheap syrup or molasses, 3 oranges or lemons, 3 J gallons 

 of water. The bran and Paris green are thoroughly mixed while 

 dry, and if large quantities are to be used it is important that the 

 men preparing the bait should protect the nostrils with a moist- 

 ened sponge and avoid breathing the poisoned dust. The juice of 

 the lemons or oranges should be squeezed into the water and the 

 remaining pulp and peel chopped fine or run through a meat grinder 

 and put in the water and the syrup added. The poisoned bran is 

 then well dampened or mixed with the liquid and when prepared 

 should be moist and sufficiently mealy so that it can be easily sown 

 broadcast. The quantity given above is sufficient for five acres. 



This bait, prepared as directed above, was distributed along 

 badly infested fence rows at about 8.30 a.m. May 27th, and an 

 examination at 4 o'clock that afternoon resulted in finding no dead 

 insects. The next day, about 4 p.m.., numbers of dead and sick 

 grasshoppers were to be found in and near the poisoned strip, and 

 on June 2d remarkably satisfactory results were observed. In one 

 area of approximately 3 square inches, eighteen dead grasshoppers 

 were counted, while in another of about one-fourth of a square foot, 

 eighty dead were found. It was estimated that fully nine-tenths 

 and perhaps 95 per cent of the young grasshoppers had been 

 destroyed during the preceding six days. The Kansas bait, espec- 

 ially in a sparsely grassed, badly infested area, gives somewhat 

 more satisfactory results than the arsenite of soda preparation. 



