6 
The Colorado Experiment Station 
back. Then by a series of muscular contractions, the body of the 
insect is gradually worked out of the old skin. The nymph usually 
clings to the old skin for a short time until the tender new skin 
becomes dry and sufficiently hardened for it to be able to move 
about. 
The time required for the nymph to reach maturity, that is, to 
gain its wings, is from 60 to 90 days, depending upon the climate 
and locality. During this period, there are generally five molts. 
While this pest is in the nymphal stage, the farmer should en¬ 
deavor to eradicate or control it, as its only means of locomotion is 
by hopping, and the methods and application of remedial meas¬ 
ures require less labor and materials, as the insects cannot escape 
by flying to uninfested or untreated areas, as they will do when 
maturity is reached. 
Adults .—At the fifth molt, the wings of the hopper, which 
have been mere pads, become fully formed. When ready to trans¬ 
form from the nymph to the adult stage, the young hopper climbs 
to some upright object and remains, as in the preceding molts, mo¬ 
tionless until the old skin is shed. The wings, which have been 
represented in previous molts by mere pads, now come into evi¬ 
dence, and after they are thoroly dried, which is usually before 
nightfall, the hopper is ready to fly. 
Climatic conditions affect the adults in the same manner as 
the nymphs. They are very active during the warm, sunny days, 
and are sluggish and quiet during cold, wet weather. 
Egg Laying .—After the adult stage has been reached, which 
varies considerably, owing to variation in egg laying, oviposition 
and rate of development in individuals of the same brood, the fe¬ 
males feed for a week of two, during which time they develop a 
mass of eggs and then oviposition takes place. The places selected 
will extend over a considerable area of ground in such places as 
before mentioned. 
FOOD HABITS—PLANTS AFFECTED 
Unlike most other insect pests which attack plants of an eco¬ 
nomic value, the grasshoppers are able to exist upon almost any 
green heibage, in most cases attacking the tender, succulent growth 
of the plant in question. In our irrigated sections, young alfalfa 
affords an ideal food for them, as well as young small grains, corn, 
field peas, and any garden or truck crop. Deciduous trees do not 
escape the ravages of this pest. Orchard trees, roses in the flower 
gardens, and even willows along ditch banks suffer severely at 
times. Young fruit trees are often severely injured by defoliation, 
or even by having the tender bark and twigs eaten to such an ex- 
