Grasshoppers, Wasps, Etc., Driven Out by Forest Fires, Fly Over City of Wichita.
Wichita, Kan., Oct.-Several hours before sunset Monday there began to arrive here, flying low over the city, a cloud of insects comprising grasshoppers, wasps, bald hornets, several varieties of butterflies and wild bees. They are drifting slowly with a light breeze toward the southeast, the lowest flying wasps and hornets clustering in great numbers about the peaks and spires of the higher buildings. The cloud of winged creatures, extending into the air to the limits of vision overhead, had been passing for hours and was still to be seen until darkness fell. The air is thick with a smoky haze, and the theory here is that the haze and accompanying insect visitation are due to the forest fires now raging in Colorado, the insects, it is supposed, being driven from their haunts in advance of the flames. The advance guard began to arrive Sunday, but owning to their comparatively small numbers no attention was paid to them until they were noticed in myriads late Monday afternoon.
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