GRASSHOPPERS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1930, Page 3

GRASSHOPPERS

AN UNPLEASANT VISITATION. (Riverine Grazier). THe grasshoppers came to Hay on Nbvember 24th. It was not previously kiitfitf’ that the winged pest was in any qifaritity near the town, but late on thfe night in- question people travelling alonjg Lachlan Street encountered a cloud of them, in the vicinity of the Public School, which made driving vel'y unpleasant so thick were the insects. The long line of street lights in Lachlan Street, appears to have been the particular attraction for the invaders, for thby swarmed ’in the vicinity of the lights, and motor traffic toPk a heavy toll of' thefti!' Early yesterday mornin#’ they were inches deep in places under the lights, and a couple of early motorists could not resist the temptation to circle round the ‘silent cops’ a few times and crush thousands of the ’hopper* to death. Yesterday at every strebt corner where there was a light the insects lay dead in heaps where the traffic had passed over them. They appeared during‘the day, but last night the streets lights again attracted them in' swarms. Residents were apprehensive about their gardens, but the visitation is apparently only a comparatively small contingent. Grasshoppers have .been fairly thick on parts of the irrigation area for some time, and this patch has apparently come to town. It is many 'years since the grasshopper has been a serious matter in this district, and the present visitation has c-?iis,.rl memories of the days when they swarmed over the whole of the district and devoured everything that had a green tinge about it. from grass to'window blinds, and when gardens were wiped completely out of existence for the time being. That the pest may in the future assume equally serious proportions is very probable. Tn the Mathoura district, this season, they have Wrought great havoc.' A correspondent, 'savs that grass has disappeared and gardens have been totally ruined. Thousands of stock will have to be disposed of on a falling market, and hundreds of acres o r cron intended for v'hont have bad to be cut for hay, as a result of their devouring capacity.