136 MISC. PUBLICATION 4 3 4, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



been found in the soil, it is advisable to make a scattering of the bait 

 some warm evening just before'fhe seedlings come up, to prevent heavy 

 damage later. Frequently serious losses occur before the injury is 

 noticed or treatment applied. 



Several species of army cutworms appear at different times during 

 the season in the plains States. When abundant, large numbers of the 

 larvae will travel together over the ground, destroying vegetation as 

 they advance. Poisoned baits, sprays, or dusts can be used to stop 

 their progress. Also, to protect the nursery, a deep furrow with 

 vertical sides can be plowed at a right angle to the line of march. The 

 larvae falling into this furrow can be killed by dragging a log through 

 it; or if shallow holes are dug at intervals in the furrows the worms 

 that collect in them can be crushed or destroyed with kerosene. 



GRASSHOPPERS 



Grasshoppers feed on nearly all cultivated plants and occasionally 

 become nursery pests. The infestation usually comes from areas 

 adjacent to the nurseries, since the grasshoppers seldom originate in 

 cultivated land. 



Eggs enclosed in sacs or "pods" are laid in the soil late in the summer 

 or in the fall, usually in grain stubble, meadows, and sod along ditch 

 banks, fences, and roadsides. In the southern plains States the eggs 

 may hatch as early as February, but in the northern plains States 

 hatching usually does not occur until May or June. The young grass- 

 hopper nymphs resemble the mature insects, except that the wings are 

 not fully developed and not functional until the final or adult stage. 

 Although maturity is reach in 40 to 70 days, the hoppers may continue 

 to feed until cold weather. There is usually only one generation a year. 



During the early nymphal stages the young hoppers feed near the 

 place where they hatch and can readily be poisoned at this time. In 

 the later stages they move about in search of food and if numerous 

 may infest the nurseries. Considerable migration may occur follow- 

 ing the cutting of adjacent hay and small grain fields. The nurseries 

 can be protected from such migrations by spreading poisoned bran 

 mash in a barrier strip, from several rods to 100 feet or more wide, 

 around the nursery. Several applications at intervals of 4 or 5 days 

 will usually be necessary. A couple of deep furrows with vertical 

 sides can also be used around the edge of the nursery to trap young 

 grasshoppers. As they collect in these furrows they can be killed by 

 daily applications of poisoned bait. After the insects have developed 

 to the flying stage, these barriers will be of no value. 



The poisoned bait is prepared as follows: 



Coarse wheat bran (free from shorts or flour) 100 pounds. 



Crude arsenic 5 pounds. 



Cane molasses (low grade, such as blackstrap) \% gallons. 



Water 10 to 12 gallons. 



Spread the bran out on a tight floor or similar surface to a depth 

 of 8 to 10 inches. Thoroughly mix the required quantities of water, 

 arsenic, and molasses in a container. Gradually splash the solution, 

 which should be continually stirred to prevent settling, over the bran 

 and work it into a mash with a shovel or rake until it contains no 

 lumps and is moist throughout. 



