Locusts plague settlers. (original) (raw)

The worst and largest plagues came in 1875 and 1876, followed by lesser plagues on through the 1880s and 1890s. The final assault came in 1902 in Manitoba, Canada. Then suddenly, the Rocky Mountain Locust disappeared.

The plagues reappeared briefly during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, however it was not the dreaded Rocky Mountain Locust but only plain grasshoppers of a different breed, much smaller and lesser in number.

Among the many myths of the time, especially among some religious beliefs was, the plagues were God-sent to punish sinners. Those ecology-minded believed the plagues were generated by drought, climate warming, plowing the prairies or the demise of the vast Buffalo herds which kept the plains forages in check. Others who witnessed the plagues personally, forecasted the end of the world from black, swarming clouds of locusts devouring every leaf and stem in their war on civilization.

Over time and through the efforts of many, the truth emerged. The swarms of locusts originated in the lush mountain valleys alongside rushing streams. Their eggs were laid in clusters and remained in hibernation until the exact right conditions occurred.

When these conditions happened in the proper sequence, the eggs hatched, more eggs were laid and hatched until the local forage was depleted. At that time, the locusts grew wings and awaited a jet stream going in the right direction. They arose, rode the winds to the prairies, descended and began the dreaded locust plagues. The swarms laid eggs on the prairie, hatched again and again for two to three years with each hatching less vigorous than before until the plague finally died out.

What actually caused their demise? Settlers who homesteaded the lush mountain valleys after the Gold Rush ended, plowed the land, disturbed the nesting places and planted alfalfa. Something contained in the alfalfa plant did not agreed with the locust digestive system. This disturbance plus the change in forage caused the death of a specie. Check it out! It's in the book.

� Delbert Trew

"It's All Trew" March 6, 2008 Column
E-mail: trewblue@centramedia.net.
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