BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY AND PLANT QUARANTINE 31 
Mormon Crickets Important Only in Nevada and Utah 
The Mormon cricket survey in 1951 revealed a light infestation of 
the insects in Moffat County, Colo.; a light infestation in Clark 
County, Idaho; a moderate infestation in Chouteau County, Mont; 
20 separate infestations, varying from light to severe, on approxi- 
mately 200,000 acres in Elko,* Humboldt, Pershing, Lander, and Eu- 
reka Counties, Nev.; infestations in Daggett, Tooele, and Uintah 
Counties, Utah, embracing 7,500 acres heavily infested, 13,500 acres 
moderately infested, and 17,000 acres lightly infested ; very light in- 
festations on 6,000 acres in Morrow and Umatilla Counties, Oreg. ; and 
very light infestations on 12,000 acres in Franklin and Adams Coun- 
ties, Wash. A presumed light infestation of crickets on contiguous 
range areas of Daggett County, Utah, and Sweetwater County. Wyo., 
was expected to involve some 4,000 acres in Wyoming. By baiting 
1,500 acres as crickets banded, this infestation was controlled. 
Surveys disclosed that although there were many reports of Mormon 
crickets being seen in old outbreak areas in several States, there would 
be no important increase during 1952 except in Nevada and Utah. 
Findings in Nevada indicated that several rather extensive infested 
areas had not been found in the 1951 survey and pointed to the neces- 
sity for aggressive, wide-scale control operations in 1952 if another 
major outbreak of the species was to be averted in that State. 
In Utah 39,000 acres were found infested. This was a considerable 
extension of previously known infestations there, indicating the prob- 
ability that another heavy infestation was developing. 
The Nevada outbreak in 1952 proved to be much greater than antic- 
ipated from the 1951 survey, requiring more extensive control opera- 
tions than had been anticipated. 
Chlordane or toxaphene oil-impregnated bait was applied by air- 
plane and ground equipment to 123,400 acres of infested range. Re- 
sults were excellent. Areas that could not be baited now harbor popu- 
lations sufficient to create an outbreak in 1953 — one that may be much 
more severe and extensive than that fought in 1952. Contiguous to 
the western Nevada infestation were those in Lassen and Plumas 
Counties. Calif., where an additional 4,500 acres were baited for Mor- 
mon cricket control. 
In Daggett, Sanpete, Tooele, Juab, and Uintah Counties, Utah, 87,- 
600 acres of range and crop land were baited or sprayed for Mormon 
cricket control in 1952. Excellent control was obtained. Both 
ground and air equipment were used. Bait or spray applications by 
farmers in Sanpete County were made to growing crops. Aldrin at 
the rate of 3 ounces per acre, applied as spray, prevented any crop 
injury and averted the danger of an outbreak in 1953. 
Mormon Cricket Build-Up Indicated 
Infestations of Mormon crickets in Oregon and Washington were 
the lowest since 1937. Although there were no important infestations 
reported in Idaho, infestation is building up there. The Moffat 
County, Colo., infestation, including the historically important 
Zenobia Basin, is also increasing. There are other indications that 
build-ups are starting in California, Nevada, and Utah. 
227798—53 5 
