22 
occurs only in the lower or moister parts of Kittson County, and is also found incon- 
siderable numbers at Pembina, N. Dak. 
We have to deal in this instance with three of the worst species of locusts found 
in the United States. The region invaded is quite well defined, and the insects occur 
thus far only in certain spots, but of course this state of affairs will be somewhat 
changed during the month of August. The central parts of Polk, Marshall, and 
Kittson Counties from south to north are more or less affected; or, in other words, 
the sandy ridge running from south to north in above counties is invaded by the 
Lesser and by the Rocky Mountain Locust. Evidently this sandy ridge attracted 
the females to deposit their eggs, or the eggs laid elsewhere in the black and more 
moist soil did not hatch. The former theory is very likely the true one, as the in- 
stincts of the female prompt her to deposit her eggs wherever there is good drainage, 
an important factor to the well-being of the eggs of those insects. But not the whole 
of this more or less sandy region is thus infested, as the locusts occur only in well- 
defined small areas. A close inspection of several hundreds of fields revealed the 
undisputable fact that all eggs laid by the invading swarm were laid in stubble 
fields and in summer fallow. In no case were the locusts found in the prairie or in 
fields not surrounded by or adjacent to stubble fields. All the dangerous locusts 
hatched there and thence invaded the neighboring fields of grain. In a large num- 
ber of cases the young locusts marched in regular order to the fields of barley, wheat, 
and oats, and swept away every trace of vegetation for several rods, in some cases 
many acres. As they grew older they scattered around more, and the exceedingly 
rank growth of the grain shows at the present time but slight damage. In badly 
infested fields, however, nearly all the foliage has been eaten, and the heads alone 
remain. Even these are now devoured in many instances, but only in the more sandy 
regions. There is still considerable danger to the crops in some parts of the infested 
regions. As the foliage of the various kinds of grain becomes older and riper it be- 
comes also unfit for food, and the locusts will be forced to attack the growing part 
of the plants, the heads. In some fields this is already the case, and the locusts eat 
out the growing kernel, or even bite off the whole ear. 
Both the Lesser Migratory and the Rocky Mountain Locust infest mainly the more 
sandy and drier region of the invaded county. The Pellucid Locust seems to prefer 
entirely different localities, and is at the present time only found in the lower and 
moister regions, chiefly in the northern part of Kittson County, and in the corre- 
sponding parts of North Dakota. There it is quite injurious, and may prove even a 
greater enemy than either of the other migratory species. 
All these locusts, although very numerous in some regions, are as yet not numer- 
ous enough to cause very serious loss to the general crop. Many farmers will lose 
a large part of their crops; some few may lose even every thiug. 
All these species of locusts, being fresh arrivals from the Northwest, are in a re- 
markably healthy condition, and consequently much more dangerous than if they 
had been here some time longer. The two species, loving dry and warm soil, show 
this to a remarkable degree. If stubble fields in which the eggs were laid are in- 
vestigated at this time it will be found that fully one-half of the locusts are infested 
with their deadly enemy, the Red Mite, and this in most instances to such a degree 
that they will be disabled and unable to deposit eggs for another generation. But 
if we investigate the adjoining fields, with their promising crops of grain, we soon 
discover a very different state of affairs. Here almost every locust is free from par- 
asites and enjoying life in grasshopper fashion to the fullest extent, and the intrud- 
ers will be able to deposit immense numbers of eggs. Evidently the locusts infested 
with parasites take a gloomy view of life, and have lost their usual energy to such 
an extent as not even to migrate to the adjoining land of plenty. The common Two- 
striped Locust of the Red River Valley, although quite an injurious insect if numer- 
ous, is now badly infested with numerous kinds of parasites and is consequently to 
be considered as a friend,, since the parasites infesting it will next spring take pos- 
