18 
may be called the outskirts of tlie grasshopper region, i. e. the western part of Walsh 
County, the southern part of Cavalier, and the northern half of Ramsey County. In 
these places many of the farms have been deserted and the chance for extermination 
thereby lessened. 
Very truly yours, 
C. B. Waldron. 
MIGRATORY LOCUSTS IN MINNESOTA IN 1891.* 
(By Otto Lugger.) 
The year 1891 has been remarkable, as far as insects are concerned, for a multitude 
of very noxious insects. Species, in former years rather uncommon, have appeared 
in vast numbers, causing more or less alarm on that account. A number of reasons 
may be given for such a state of affairs ; but the present bulletin is not the proper 
place to discuss them. The chief causes may, however, be stated to be exceptionally 
mild winters and uniformly favorable growing seasons. 
Among the numerous injurious insects of 1891 none are more dangerous than the 
various species of locusts or grasshoppers. Besides the native species, which in 
seasons favorable to locusts are always more or less injurious, we have to deal at 
present with three kinds of migratory locusts, i. e. : Rocky Mountain Locust (Mclano- 
plus spretus, Thos.), Lesser Migratory Locust (Melanoplus atlanis, Riley), Pellucid 
Locust (Camnula pellucida, Scudd.). 
In the report of the Entomologist to the Board of Regents, published in the Bien- 
nial Report for 1890, page 17, the following statement was made : 
" But the danger of fresh invasion remains, and it is in the line of wise legislation 
to take time by the forelock, and provide the necessary means for suppressing an- 
other outbreak. The Rocky Mountain Locusts are becoming very numerous in their 
native breeding places, and have already produced some swarms extending beyond 
their usual haunts. In fact a large swarm of locusts passed on August 14, 1890, over 
Crookston, flying in a southeasterly direction. It is true the few mutilated speci- 
mens received by the Entomologist indicated three native species, but this material 
was insufficient to furnish proof that the ' Hateful Grasshopper' was not a member of 
this swarm. Through the kindness of the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Rail- 
road, the Entomologist was enabled to inquire into this matter, and found that this 
swarm had continued its flight from Crookston over Fosston, and had landed near to 
and in theupper Rice Lake,in the White Earth Indian Reservation, where the great ma- 
jority of the insects composing this swarm perished. Some eggs were deposited near 
Crookston, and especial attention should be paid to the locusts resulting from them; 
but it could not be learned that others had been laid elsewhere. It will be very wise 
to recollect that the number of locusts in their home have reached the danger mark, 
and may, if favored by a suitable season, become not simply a menace but a reality." 
After the publication of that report more material Avas received, which proved be- 
yond doubt that the swarm entering the Red River Valley was composed mainly of 
migratory species. But even without such additional proofs it was quite certain 
that we had to deal with migratory species, as all our native ones, not being able to 
make extended flights, could not form such large swarms. Notwithstanding the 
evidence and warning of danger, no preventive measures were adopted and the in- 
truders were allowed to settle in the invaded region. 
Early in June a number of newspapers published complaints that locusts were 
doing considerable damage in some fields, but mainly near Pelican Rapids, Otter 
Tail County. A visit to that region indicated that a small swarm of locusts had de- 
posited their eggs in that locality, but that timely work would suffice to kill all the 
^Reprinted from Bulletin No. 17, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. 
