87 

 The next paper was by Mr. Phillips: 



NOTES ON MELANOPLTJS FEMORATTJS. 

 By J. L. Phillips, Blacksburg, Va. 



This locust was first observed in considerable numbers by the writer, 

 in Roanoke County. June 17, 1899. It was in this instance doing con- 

 siderable injury to a small field of timothy, but was not plentiful 

 enough in the vicinity to attract general attention. Where this insect 

 occurred in considerable numbers, the grass was entirely unfit for hay. 

 as they cut off or destroyed all the blades, and many of the heads. 

 leaving only the stalks. This species was found to be plentiful in the 

 fields near Blacksburg. later the same summer, but it was not present 

 in sufficient numbers to do serious harm. 



The observations were not carried on systematically, very little 

 attention being paid to it in 1900 and 1901, but on June 1*5. 1902, we 

 learned that this insect was doing considerable damage in some portions 

 of Wythe and Smyth counties, about 50 miles west of Blacksburg. 

 This outbreak was investigated at once, and proved to be the most 

 serious one known to us. 



The owner of the property where this outbreak occurred claimed 

 that the locusts were first observed on the western border of a pasture 

 field of 30 acres. At the time this investigation was made, the major- 

 ity of the insects were located in a 20-acre field of wheat, adjoining 

 the pasture field. They had eaten all the herbage on the above-men- 

 tioned pasture, leaving the ground bare, but the roots were still alive 

 and had begun to send up a straggling new growth. The wheat was 

 already considerably damaged. Nearly all the blades had been cut 

 off, and many of the heads of wheat also, and they were still feeding. 

 The great majority of the locusts were adult at this time. 



Mr. Browning, the owner, claims that on former occasions he had 

 known them to destroy much of the wheat after it was shocked, even 

 cutting the twine bands, so that there was some loss in handling. 



These fields are located on the eastern bank of a small stream, which 

 appears to have acted to some extent as a barrier, preventing their 

 entrance to the fields on the west side in any considerable numbers. 

 Later observations this season showed this insect to be present in num- 

 bers all through the Valley of Virginia, from Smyth County on the 

 southwest to Frederick on the north, duly 22, a small apple orchard 

 near Winchester, about three years set. was found to be almost defoli- 

 ated, and investigation proved that this insect was responsible for the 

 damage. 



