2 BULLETIN 293,, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



HISTORY IN AMERICA. 



This long-winged grasshopper was originally described by Cyrus 

 Thomas in 1872 under the name of Oedipoda longipennis, from a 

 male specimen, marked " Kansas," submitted to him in a collection 

 from the Agricultural Department. C. V. Riley claims to have col- 

 lected this species in Colorado on his first trip to that State in 1867. 



In 1876 S. H. Scudder proposed a new genus (Dissosteira) for the 

 reception of Oedipoda longipennis Thorn, and Gryllus Carolina Linn., 

 designating the latter species as the genotype. 



In 1875 Philip R. Uhler found this species in small numbers in 

 the region west of Colorado Springs, Colo. 



In 1891 Lawrence Bruner, while upon a general tour of observation 

 to investigate rumored grasshopper ravages in different parts of the 

 Western States, stated that the species causing the alarm in Colorado 

 was u * * * a ra tl ie r rare species, known as D. longipennis. it 

 occurring at that time over 400 sq. miles of territory in sufficient 

 numbers to materially injure the grasses growing on the range of 

 the entire region. Grains and other cultivated plants did not appear 

 to be especially attractive to it. In fact, very little or no injury 

 was done by it to the cultivated crops growing within the region 

 infested." 



Between July 10 and 19, 1891, the late E. H. Popenoe visited Lin- 

 coln County, Colo., where grasshoppers of this species were so 

 numerous as to stop the trains. 



In 1892 Kellogg stated that this species was locally hurtful in 

 Kansas, but that no serious crop destruction was threatened. He 

 stated further, ".* * * This locust is a nonmigratory form, 

 occasionally abundant on the plains of eastern Colorado. It some- 

 times occurs in sufficient numbers in restricted areas to destroy all 

 vegetation." 



In 1895 Bruner noted this species " * * * Out on the plains 

 away from the foothills and irrigating ditches," as quite abundant 

 over a large portion of Colorado and Nebraska. He believed 

 u * * * stony hillsides furnished a suitable place for the increase 

 of D. longipennis and several other barren-ground species." 



In 1896 Bruner again noted this species abundant in Colorado 

 and Nebraska, recording it attacking and actually destroying entire 

 fields of small grains, some corn, potatoes, and a number of garden 

 plants. 



In 1898 this species was occasionally noted in western Kansas by 

 S. J. Hunter, who stated that in Edwards County this locust was 

 abundant in a portion of an alfalfa field of 320 acres. This was first 

 observed July 6. On September 1 females of this species were 

 seen ovipositing in this field. It was his opinion that this colony 



