47 



Many other species were abundant, and especially during October 

 hosts of individuals were seen migrating from their summer locations 



to the plants which support their winter eggs. On some of these 

 observations were made, but they can best be included in a discussion 

 of the species in detail when their full life histories are worked out. 



Last year I made a trip for the Division to western Kansas to inves- 

 tigate a local outbreak of grasshoppers, a report of which, with the 

 recommendations suggested, was published in Insect Life, vol. iv,p. 19. 



Naturally, I was interested to know the outcome for the present sea 

 son and wrote to parties in Garden City and Lakin, asking for a state- 

 ment as to the abundance and injuries and what steps, if any, were 

 taken in destroying them. I received two letters, from which I extract 

 the following : 



GARDEN City, Kans., August 20, 1832. 

 Dear Sir: The grasshopper has been quite bad in localities. I think, from 

 reports, that it will do almost as much damage as last year in the aggregate. On a 

 few farms the wheat was injured and oats entirely destroyed — probably not more 

 than one-half crop at the best. Farmers report that the fly is not killing many of 

 them. Machines were made for capturing them. Some report large numbers taken. 



Andrew Sabink. 



Later. — Since writing the within I have been making inquiries and find that the 

 hopper has been destructive only in spots. Wheat has not been injured. Some 

 fields of oats destroyed. In other places only a few acres would be destroyed. They 

 are commencing to disappear. Some say that they are dying rapidly. I met no one 

 who had looked for the cause of death. Toads were innumerable this year — so much 

 so that " everybody '' was talking about it. I think the damage this year will fall 

 much below that of 1891. 



A. S. 



Lakin, Kans., August 7, 7 

 * * * As to the number of hoppers I see very little difference from last year. 

 By far the most damage has been done by Nelanoplus differcntialis. I send you some 

 hoppers caught this morning; also some dead ones found on asparagus. You can 

 judge from the stalks the effect that they have had on that. There is a little green 

 growth on the bottom yet. Parasitic Tachiu ids have destroyed more than last year. 

 As to fighting them very little has been done, and that in a half-hearted way. I 

 cleaned them out of the orchard wherever I cultivated the ground early enough and 

 solidly. Am satisfied that they can be caught oo the alfalfa by hopper-dozers. We 

 have had some trouble in getting pans made, but they are bound to work if taken 

 in time. 



These hoppers will be likely to stay and grow fat just so long as we give (hem a 

 good breeding ground and plenty to eat. We had some cold wet weather last spring 

 just as they were hatching, which checked them some, Inn they seem to have out- 

 grown it. I find a good many young ones now. 



J. W. L<>\<.m i;i 1 n. 

 Prof. H. Osborn, 



Ames, Iowa. 



TESTS OF THE B0TRYT1S TENELLA ON LACHNOSTKKNA. 



During the spring we received from your office a tube of Bofryfia 

 teneUa from France, with instructions to test it on Lachnosterna lar v« 

 in this locality. 



