Grasshopper Control 
7 
tent as to cause death of the trees. The attacks and damage to 
young orchards generally follow a shortage of other foods. 
THE MORE DESTRUCTIVE SPECIES 
There are many kinds of grasshoppers which are injurious 
to our agricultural crops. The more important ones are: The 
lesser migratory locusts ( Melanoplus ctl nis Riley), the two-strip¬ 
ed locust ( Melanoplus bivitatns Say), the differential locusts 
(Melanoplus differentialis Thom.), and the red-legged locust 
(Melanoplus femur-rubrum De G.). 
There are other species involved, but they appear rather scat¬ 
tering, are of minor importance, and generally occur in fields bor¬ 
dering virgin lands. 
CONTROL 
The control of grasshoppers may be taken up under two 
heads: 
First, Natural , which includes climatic conditions, predaceous 
and parasitic insects, diseases, birds, etc. 
Second, Artificial, which includes all methods employed by 
man, such as cultivation, spraying, poison baits, hopper dozers, 
etc. 
The complete eradication of a swarm of locusts in any given 
locality is almost impossible, tho under favorable circumstances, 
with co-operation and organization, enough can be killed to effect 
a complete control of the pest. However, this must be accom¬ 
plished before the hoppers develop wings. Therefore, the atten¬ 
tion of those engaged in locust destruction should be directed 
against the young hoppers and eggs. 
NATURAL CONTROL 
Insect Enemies. —There are several kinds of parasitic and 
predaceous insects which aid materially in the natural control of 
grasshoppers. Among these is a medium-sized fly, Sarcophaga 
(sp. ?), which has been bred in abundance from both nymphs and 
adults. This parasite was first noted at Trinidad June 1, 1916, 
and after haying, numerous parasitized hoppers were noted around 
the stacks. From two to four parasites of the above mentioned 
species were bred from those collected. 
Other insects of secondary importance have been noted prey¬ 
ing upon the nymphs of grasshoppers. A large, black ground 
beetle, ( Calosoma obsoletum Say) was noted, on various occasions, 
feeding upon young hoppers. Large robber flies ( Promachus sp.) 
have been seen feeding upon young grasshoppers. Solitary wasps 
are also instrumental in hopper control. They sting and stupefy 
the young hoppers and place them in their mud nests. The wasp 
deposits an egg among the stupefied hoppers, and, upon hatching, 
