- 238 
NORTH DAKOTA 
During tlic last 5 years, 1934-38, inclusive, collections of grass- 
hoppers in typical environnents have been made in North Dakota during the 
adult survey. In 1938, 20,634 specimens wero collected in 9 typical environ- 
ments, 41 species “being represented in these collections. In all environ- 
ments I.lelanoplus nexicanus was easily the dominant grasshopper making up half 
of the total specimens collected in the State. It far* outnumbered any of. 
the other species, forming from 24 to 68 Percent of the populations in the 
different habitats. M. packnr di i 'was second in number in the total number 
of specimens collected, although Cannula pcllucida and Ageneotettix do o rum 
were greater in numbers than was Li. paekar di i in some of the environments.. 
In 1934, II. nexicanus was the dominant species on the range in the north- . 
western part of the State and A. deorurn was the most numerous in the south- 
western quarter. During 1935, 1936, and 1337, A. deorurn became the leading 
species on the range, easily outnumbering II. mexi earns . In 1938 M. mexicanus 
became the most important species on the range land at 32 percent and A. 
deorurn was second at 18 percent of the total specimens collected. This was 
probably due to the extensive major, and local migrations of II. mexicanus 
during July and August. H. bjvi ttatus is building up again after its great 
reduction during the extreme drought of 1934. Li. diff orcntialis , not being 
as hardy a.s M. bivittatus , i s still 'down in numbers. 
Hatching began about April 23 in the southern counties. Cold rainy 
weather prolonged hatching and hatching was still going on in the northern 
counties at the end of June. During Juljr and the first part of August 
major flights of H. mexicanus moved in and out of the State. Grasshoppers - 
in the south-central counties moved into the northea-stern part of the Stake. 
Those in the western pant moved northward into Canada and northwestward into 
eastern Llontana. Grasshoppers from South Dakota moved northwestward into 
the Dickinson-I.landan area, reinfesting a large area there and destroying 
small-grain crops by cutting off the heads, flights were so general and so 
dense that it was impossible to do anything about it. Heavy egg deposition 
occurred in areas where these flights terminated, although beefly larvae, 
according to the egg survey, had reduced the good eggs 25 to 75 percent. 
The worst infestations are in the Dickinson-Mandan area and egg counts run 
high. It is problematical how much good the egg predators will do. This 
is an old gr a.s shopper a.rea. and egg preda.tors a.rc ’.Tell established. They 
may at least cut down on the occurrence of the enormous populations neces- - 
sary to produce major flights, such 'as those experienced in 1938. 
