Grasshoppers Could Be Top Pest This Year

Grasshoppers have the potential to be the dominating insect pest problem across the region this season. The southeastern and central counties of N.D. experienced outbreak situations last season. Rangeland in the south central and southwest had large populations of adults, as well. If weather favors grasshopper survival and development this season, additional field crop and range areas could have troubles.

Whenever grasshopper populations reach the threatening level, feeding damage to crops should be anticipated. Directing control efforts at nymphs in hatching sites is recommended to minimize the total area requiring insecticide treatment, permits lower insecticide rates for effective control of small nymphs, and minimizes the potential for future crop damage.

More grasshopper management information can be found online at www.ndsu.nodak.edu/entomology . Click on the “Entomology Updates” link, then under field crop insects, click on “grasshoppers.”  More grasshopper information can also be found online at fs-sdy2.sidney.ars.usda.gov/grasshopper . Click on the “Extras” link for a full color rangeland grasshopper survey map.

—Phil Glogoza, NDSU extension entomologist

Grasshopper Treatment Guidelines
	Nymphs (Young hoppers) per square yard		Adults per square yard
Rating	Margin	Field	Margin	Field
Light	25 - 35	15-23	10 - 20	3 - 7
Threatening	50 - 75	30-45	21 - 40	8 - 14
Severe	100 - 150	60 - 90	41 - 80	15 - 28
Very Severe	200+	120	80+	28+

Insect Info on the Internet

2003 N.D. Field Crop Insect Management Guide
www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/pests/e1143w1.htm

NDSU Crop Insect Publications
www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/bugcrops.htm

North Dakota State University Entomology
www.ndsu.nodak.edu/entomology

SDSU Extension Entomology
http://plantsci.sdstate.edu/ent/