69
Mostly True
Great Plains
In 1875, 12 trillion Rocky Mountain locusts spread across the Great Plains, weighing 27.5 million tons, stripping plants, and even eating clothes off farmers.
The claims about the Rocky Mountain locust swarm of 1875 are largely supported by historical records and estimates. The immense number and weight of the locusts are consistent with documented historical accounts of locust swarms. Furthermore, records indicate that the locusts did strip plants and even damaged clothing, although the exact numbers are estimates. No contradictions were found in the evidence, although the nature of historical estimates means some uncertainty remains.
Individual Claims
69
Mostly True
historical
In 1875, an estimated 12 trillion Rocky Mountain locusts spread across 198,000 square miles of the Great Plains.
While precise counts cannot be confirmed, historical estimates, such as those mentioned in sources like Wikipedia and alternate history forums, suggest the swarm size and area coverage were immense.
Fact Check Score
None
Fact Check Weight
0
Web Consensus Score
75
Web Consensus Weight
50
Source Quality Score
65
Source Quality Weight
25
Llm Reasoning Score
75
Llm Reasoning Weight
25
Weighted Total
69
Evidence Summary
2 web sources support historical swarm size and range estimates.
69
Mostly True
statistical
The locusts weighed around 27.5 million tons.
The weight estimate was noted in Wikipedia, aligning with known effects of large swarms. As these are historical estimates, exact accuracy is debated, but the magnitude is not disputed.
Fact Check Score
None
Fact Check Weight
0
Web Consensus Score
70
Web Consensus Weight
50
Source Quality Score
65
Source Quality Weight
25
Llm Reasoning Score
70
Llm Reasoning Weight
25
Weighted Total
69
Evidence Summary
1 web source (Wikipedia) supports the weight estimate.
74
Mostly True
historical
They stripped all plant life.
Historical records confirm locusts stripped vegetation during plagues. The severity of plant damage is well-documented.
Fact Check Score
None
Fact Check Weight
0
Web Consensus Score
80
Web Consensus Weight
50
Source Quality Score
75
Source Quality Weight
25
Llm Reasoning Score
80
Llm Reasoning Weight
25
Weighted Total
74
Evidence Summary
Multiple sources confirm widespread plant destruction by locusts.
64
Mostly True
weird
They even ate clothes off farmers.
There are historical accounts suggesting locusts damaged clothing. While unusual, evidence from medium-reliability sources supports it.
Fact Check Score
None
Fact Check Weight
0
Web Consensus Score
65
Web Consensus Weight
50
Source Quality Score
60
Source Quality Weight
25
Llm Reasoning Score
65
Llm Reasoning Weight
25
Weighted Total
64
Evidence Summary
Historical accounts suggest clothing damage by locusts.
