Studies on Coccobacillus Acridiorum D’Herelle, and on Certain Intestinal Organisms of Locusts.

Abstract

Coccobacillus acridiorum, the causal organism of an epizootic disease of locusts, was isolated in the State of Yucatan, Mexico, in 1910, by Dr. F. d’Herelle from the South American migratory locust Schistocerca americana Drury. He had observed that during the previous year the swarms migrating northward into Mexico from the confines of Guatemala showed evidence of the presence of an epizootic. The mortality in the swarms increased each year until 1912, when the disease had destroyed the locusts to such an extent that no swarms migrated into Mexico. D’Herelle was able to produce disease and death by inoculating healthy locusts with a culture of the organism which he isolated from the diseased locusts. The results of his experiments led him to believe that the use of this organism would have successful results in the control of locusts.