38 



In Colorado and parts of western Kansas this insect is less numerous 

 than are either the red-legged or two-lined species, hence but little if 

 any above normal. Just what the condition is in those portions of 

 Michigan and adjoining States I can not say. 



The red-legged locust is and has been fairly common in very nearly 

 the same localities as the preceding. It is less liable to be harmful in 

 the immediate future, since it does not possess the migratory habit in 

 a sufficient degree to be of much practical aid to it in escaping unfavor- 

 able conditions. 



The two-lined and differential locusts were present in destructive 

 numbers over a considerable area in Colorado and western Kansas. 

 The former was the chief depredator along the base of the mountains 

 from Denver northward nearly to Cheyenne, Wyo. The latter seemed 

 to preponderate in the Arkansas valley of eastern Colorado and west- 

 ern Kansas. In both of these localities the plague is apparently on 

 the decline, if the reports obtained from citizens can be depended on. 

 Where the Umpusa gryllw or locust fungus attacked them last year they 

 have quite noticeably diminished in numbers, though they are still pres- 

 ent in far too large numbers to suit those who must stand their ravages 

 or else fight them in order to protect crops. 



In Colorado Springs and the immediate vicinity the Melanoplus lakinus, 

 a short-winged form, seems to be greatly on the increase, and has already 

 passed the u danger line." Its inability to move away from harm to 

 itself may, however, soon cause its decrease, and no damage result. 



The only remaining species of locust that was found by me to be 

 harmful this year is Dissosteira longipennis; and from the fact that it 

 actually attacked a number of cultivated plants not heretofore reported 

 as being included in its bill of fare, we may be pardoned if we are 

 somewhat apprehensive concerning it as to the future. It actually 

 destroyed entire fields of small grain, some corn, potatoes, and a num- 

 ber of garden plants in the vicinity of Lodge Pole and Sidney, where I 

 studied it during the month of July. Although it still seems to prefer 

 the grama and other short grasses of the plains, the fact that it has 

 destroyed the above-named cultivated plants would indicate that it is 

 capable of harm when opportunities for so doing are offered. 



It now occupies portions of the high prairies lying between the upper 

 Niobrara and North Platte, between the latter and the South Platte, 

 between this and the Eepublican, and southward to beyond the Arkan- 

 sas into northeastern New Mexico. It extends from the vicinity of the 

 one hundred and first meridian on the east to the base of the Eocky 

 Mountains, and occasionally drifts eastward with the winds in consider- 

 able numbers even to Lincoln, JSTebr. 



One very encouraging feature connected with this insect, in the vicin- 

 ity of Sidney at least, was the presence in large numbers of a peculiar 

 long-legged Tachina fly that apparently attacked and destroyed many 

 of the locusts. So numerous was this fly that with favoring circum- 



