47 
United States Entomological Commission was formed, which published 
from 1877 to 1879 two voluminous reports on it alone. A shorter 
account of this and some of the other more important grasshoppers 
discussed in the Commission Reports is furnished in Bulletin No. 25 
(o. s.), Division of Entomology. 
THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCUST. 
{^Melanoplus dijferentialis Thomas.) 
In Kansas and Nebraska and elsewhere in the Middle West the 
farmer is much bothered at times by the large yellow locust, shown in 
figure 46. It can usually be found along roadsides and on the edges of 
groves, preferring rank 
vegetation where such 
abounds. When it be- 
comes unusually numer- 
ous it is quite destructive 
to vegetable crops and to 
cereals; in fact, it is rated 
by some as next in importance to the two species which have been 
considered. Two forms of this insect make their home in the Middle 
West — a yellow form, which is the commonest, and a black one. They 
do not appear to differ otherwise than in color. 
Fig. 46. — Melanoplus differ entialis, natural size (after Riley). 
THE TWO-STRIPED LOCUST. 
{Melanoplus hivittatus Say.) 
The name two-striped locust and the accompanying illustration 
(fig. 1:7) together with the statement that the ground color of this 
species is brown, striped with 
yellow, is sufficient for its deter- 
mination. It is somewhat vari- 
able, however. Like others of 
its kind it develops where vege- 
tation is rank, in weed patches 
and in low ground, and after 
exhausting the vegetation in 
such localities it enters gardens 
and cornfields and does much injury to crops. It occurs from the 
Atlantic to the Pacific, and from the Gulf States to far North. 
Fig. 4.7.— JMa no olus bivittatus, natural size (after 
Riley). 
METHODS OF CONTROL. 
Grasshoppers are generally kept within normal numbers by numer- 
ous natural agencies, among which are nearl}^ all large forms of insec- 
tivorous birds and mammals, batrachians and reptiles, and fungous 
diseases. They also have large numbers of predaceous and parasitic 
