Published by Utah State University Extension and Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory ENT-125-08 June 2008
Grasshoppers
Edward W. Evans Erin W. Hodgson
Professor and Entomologist Extension Entomology Specialist
What You Should Know
• About 400 different grasshopper species are native to
North America, and most are well-adapted to forage
and grasslands in Utah.
• Area-wide treatments are generally more effective
than spot treatments because grasshoppers are highly
mobile insects.
G
rasshoppers are among the most conspicuous
insects in Utah, and are viewed by many as
also among the most injurious to our crops and
rangelands (Fig. 1). In any given year, thousands of Fig. 2. Grasshoppers are a landscape issue.2
acres may be sprayed throughout the state to reduce
potential damage. While at times grasshoppers may
Life Cycle and Habitat
inflict intolerable loss, we must recognize that only
a few species cause economic damage. We must
Grasshoppers go through simple metamorphosis (i.e.,
also understand that because outbreaks can occur
egg, nymph, adult) and have chewing mouthparts.
simultaneously across the landscape (Fig. 2), suppression
Most grasshoppers in Utah have one generation each
programs may be successful only when they are well-
year. Eggs are laid in the soil in summer and fall, and
planned and carried out over large acreages.
typically hatch the following spring. The eggs are
laid in groups held together in a pod formed from a
The small rancher or homeowner, inundated with
sticky secretion to which loose soil becomes bound.
grasshoppers, is likely to have only temporary
Eggs hatch in the spring depending on temperature.
success when acting alone to reduce grasshopper
Immature grasshoppers, called nymphs, go through
populations. Unless treating a local “hot spot” before
five instars before becoming adults. The nymphs are
the grasshopper infestation has spread over large areas,
flightless, but will gradually develop small wing pads.
grasshoppers will
Most adults are capable of flying great distances.
continually migrate to
new foliage. For this
Each species has its own unique life history, including
reason, the federal
habitat and food preferences. Grasshoppers are often
government, through
depicted as indiscriminate feeders; however, individual
the USDA-APHIS
species show marked preferences for certain kinds
(Animal and Plant
of plants. Indeed, some species are so specific as to
Health Inspection
feed almost exclusively on one or a few closely related
Service), assists private
plant species. Proper identification is critical in assessing
landowners with
the potential for economic damage of large scale
serious infestations by
infestations in rangeland, roadsides and fence row
coordinating area-
vegetation adjacent to cropland. The most damaging
wide grasshopper
grasshopper species have broad habitat preferences
management
and host plant range. These species are capable of
programs.
building up over several years to high numbers in local
areas, and migrating considerable distances as the
Fig. 1. Migratory grasshopper.1 vegetation is consumed.
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Description and Damage
Grasshoppers belong in the order Orthoptera and family Differential grasshopper: Melanoplus differentialis (Fig. 4)
Acrididae, and are most closely related to crickets and Adults are 1¾˝ long and shiny, brownish-yellow in
katydids. The acridid grasshoppers (Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 7) color. The hind legs have black chevrons (v-shapes).
include some of the most injurious species in Orthoptera. These grasshoppers live in fields, open woods and
Utah has three major groups of grasshoppers (Fig. along the edges of water. The nymphs and adults
10): the slant-faced grasshoppers, the band-winged have a broad host range, including grasses, weeds,
grasshoppers, and the spur-throated grasshoppers. crops and fruits.
The slant-faces, as their name implies, generally have
angled faces and long, thin bodies that enable them Twostriped grasshopper: Melanoplus bivittatus (Fig. 5)
to blend into the grassy vegetation. The banded- Adults are 1¼ - 2˝ long, and have a distinct black
wings are the conspicuous hoppers with often brightly band on the hind leg and two light yellow stripes
colored hindwings that snap and crackle as they fly down the top of the back. The stripes come together
short distances. The banded-wings are especially at the end of the forewings to form a triangle.
common in open desert and scrub; they blend in well Twostriped grasshoppers prefer tall, lush, herbaceous
with their brown surroundings. The spur-throats include vegetation. Dense populations may reside in ditch
the most injurious species (see descriptions of common banks, roadsides, and crop borders. This species can
grasshoppers on this page). Their name derives from the be a major crop pest in small grains, alfalfa, and corn.
tubercle projecting between their front legs. It is an early-hatching species and is one of the first
species to appear each season.
Redlegged grasshopper: Melanoplus femurrubrum (Fig. 7)
Adults are 1-1½˝ long, slightly smaller than the
differential grasshopper, and are brown in color with
red hind tibia. This grasshopper is the most widely
distributed species, and prefers tall vegetation of
forbs, grasslands, meadows, crop borders, CRP
(Conservation Reserve Program) land, and roadsides.
Migratory grasshopper: Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fig. 1)
Adults are 1˝ long and are reddish brown in color.
These grasshoppers prefer forbs, grasslands and
meadows. The migratory grasshopper causes more
crop damage than any other species of grasshopper
in the U.S. High densities may destroy small grains,
alfalfa, clover, corn, vegetables, and ornamentals.
Fig. 3. Front view of a acridid grasshopper.3
Fig. 4. Differential grasshopper.1 Fig. 5. Twostriped grasshopper.1
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UPPDL, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322-5305 T: 435.797.2435 F: 435.797.8197 www.utahpests.usu.edu
Conditions Conducive to Outbreaks Plant Damage
Grasshopper densities are primarily influenced by Grasshoppers have chewing mouthparts that tear away
weather, and benefit from warm, dry springs. High plant tissue. Grasshopper injury is most often associated
temperatures allow eggs to hatch early and nymphs with rangeland, corn, small grains, and vegetable
to grow quickly. Warm summers also promote egg crops. However, during heavy infestations almost any
deposition for the following year. Overwintering egg type of plant may be attacked, including trees, shrubs,
pods are freeze-tolerant, especially when there is ornamentals, flowers, and turfgrass. Grasshoppers are
sufficient snow cover for insulation. commonly thought of as foliage feeders, but will also
feed on flowers, fruits, seed heads, stems, and essentially
Weather may affect grasshoppers both directly and all above ground plant parts (Figs. 6, 8). Often fence
indirectly. Cool wet weather may be detrimental to rows and roadsides adjacent to crops serve as the major
“cold-blooded” grasshoppers simply because it slows sources of grasshoppers; as the vegetation dries up in
their movement. Weather may indirectly affect the such areas, grasshoppers that hatched and matured
natural enemies of grasshoppers, including predators there move into adjacent crops.
and parasites. Cool conditions also promote natural
fungal infections and other disease-causing organisms, Like most insect populations, grasshopper numbers
which can contribute to population crashes. Conversely, fluctuate from year to year due to environmental
warm dry weather may indirectly favor grasshoppers conditions and other variables. Females prefer to
by causing their host plants to break down proteins into deposit egg pods in undisturbed land and widespread
constituent amino acids to maintain water balance. severe infestations are often associated with a series of
Such changes in the host plant may make it more dry years. The heaviest grasshopper injury usually occurs
nutritious. in areas with 10-30˝ of precipitation per year.
The potential complexities involved in grasshopper
population dynamics are daunting. It should not be
surprising that efforts to model and predict the rise and
fall of grasshopper populations have had only limited
success. The need for careful research, conducted
painstakingly over many years, remains as great as ever
as we strive to improve our understanding of why, when,
and how grasshopper populations rise and fall.
Fig. 7. Redlegged grasshopper.5
Fig. 6. Grasshoppers feeding in corn.4 Fig. 8. Typical grasshopper feeding.6
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UPPDL, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322-5305 T: 435.797.2435 F: 435.797.8197 www.utahpests.usu.edu
Chemical Control Biological Control
Killing and managing grasshoppers, unfortunately, Several reduced risk products for grasshopper control
are often not synonymous. Grasshoppers are readily are also available in Utah. Nosema locustae (Canning),
killed readily by insecticides but often large acreages sold as Nolo Bait, is a microsporidian protozoa that
need to be treated. Given the great mobility of infects grasshoppers through baiting. Under ideal
grasshoppers, area-wide treatments may only reduce conditions coinciding with peak nymphal emergence,
populations that year. Ranchers are encouraged to N. locustae will kill 50-70% of the population and 35-50%
scout for grasshopper “hot spots,” that is, local areas of the surviving grasshoppers will be infected. Infected
in which grasshoppers concentrate egg-laying and grasshoppers are weakened, feed less, and produce
outbreaks first occur. All too often, huge populations fewer eggs. Optimal suppression with Nosema requires
of grasshoppers grow and spread before control a few steps: 1) species identification, 2) treating young
measures are taken, thus greatly increasing both the nymphs, 3) treating on sunny mornings, 4) treating
costs and difficulties of control attempts. USDA-APHIS is populations >5/yd2, and 5) treating large acreages. The
responsible for control programs against grasshoppers disadvantages of Nosema are: 1) peak mortality occurs
on public lands. When grasshoppers occur at high 4 to 6 weeks after application, 2) it is most effective
numbers (>8/yd2 over at least 10,000 contiguous acres when applied to large areas with relatively sparse
of privately owned rangelands), the owners may join vegetation, and 3) conventional insecticides are still
together to receive state and federal aid in planning required to supplement area-wide management.
and conducting a large-scale Cooperative Rangeland
Grasshopper Management Program. Another biological control agent labeled for control of
grasshoppers is a fungal pathogen, Beauveria bassiana.
The condition and forage value of the rangelands Many other natural occurring enemies for grasshoppers
affected must be weighed against the potential for in Utah do exist. Likely, a combination of predators,
damage from grasshoppers to determine whether parasites and pathogens contribute to grasshopper
control costs are justified. A grower may be able to control every year (Figs. 9-10).
prevent severe crop infestation late in the season by
regularly checking grasshopper breeding grounds
earlier in the season, and treating with insecticide in
years when nymphs are extremely numerous.
Grasshopper control products are available in spray,
dust, or bait formulations. Dusts and baits are relatively
expensive products, but can be applied to specific
areas without sophisticated equipment. Dusts do
not readily adhere to foliage and must be reapplied
frequently. Baits must be consumed and are most
effective when host plants are scarce, small, or have
dried up. Use of carbaryl bait (wheat bran laced
with carbaryl) is a particularly desirable alternative
to spraying for grasshoppers in pastures, fence rows, Fig. 9. Grasshopper killed by a naturally occurring
wasteland, and along roadsides. Spread evenly through grasshopper pathogen, Entomophthora grylli.7
the habitat, the bait selectively kills only grasshoppers
and other insects that consume it in while foraging.
Nymphs are most likely to injure crops while actively
foraging for dry plant material on the ground, and
therefore their populations are very effectively reduced
in number by baits.
Malathion and carbaryl are relatively non-toxic to
humans, and may be sprayed to kill grasshoppers along
roadsides and fence rows by following label directions.
Other products registered for grasshopper control in
Utah include acephate, beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin,
chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, and lambda-cyhalothrin.
These sprays will be most effective when used against Fig. 10. Grasshopper being preyed on by a
nymphs rather than against adults. Tachysphex sphecid wasp.3
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UPPDL, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322-5305 T: 435.797.2435 F: 435.797.8197 www.utahpests.usu.edu
Additional Reading
Branson, D.H., A. Joern, and G.A. Sword. 2006. Sustainable management of insect herbivores in grassland ecosystems: new perspectives
in grasshopper control. BioScience 56: 743-755.
Evans, H.E. 1985. The pleasures of entomology. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington, D.C. Chapter 5 of this delightful book is devoted
to an engaging account of the biology of the Mormon Cricket; other chapters are devoted to equally fascinating insects generally well-
known to the public.
Hewitt, G.B. and J.A. Onsager. 1982. Grasshoppers: yesterday, today, and forever. Rangelands 4: 207-209. The authors review the
biology of grasshoppers, and potential forage losses from and control efforts against these insects in the western United States.
Lockwood, J.A., W.P. Kemp, and J.A. Onsager. 1988. Long-term, large-scale effects of insecticidal control on rangeland grasshopper
populations (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Journal of Economic Entomology 81: 1258-1264. The authors present evidence that grasshopper
outbreaks have occurred more frequently in response to more intensive insecticide spraying in Wyoming than in adjacent counties in
Montana, perhaps because overly intensive use of insecticides upsets control by grasshoppers’ natural enemies.
Madsen, D.B. 1989. A grasshopper in every pot. Natural History 7/89: 22- 25. Archeological studies near the Great Salt Lake have
revealed that Great Basin huntergatherers ate large numbers of grasshoppers, especially during natural outbreaks.
MacVean, C. 1990. Mormon crickets: a brighter side. Rangelands 12: 234-235. The author’s research suggests that in open rangelands, in
contrast to crops, outbreaks of Mormon crickets may be far less damaging to forage vegetation than previously thought. Adult crickets,
in fact, primarily consume sagebrush.
Pfadt, R.E. 1988. Field guide to common western grasshoppers. USDA APHIS/Wyoming.
Fig. 11. Three types of short-horned grasshoppers in Utah. Striped grasshopper (left), Amphitornus coloradus,
is a slant-faced grasshopper; Western clouded grasshopper (middle), Encoptolophus costalis, is a banded-
winged grasshopper; and cudweed grasshopper (right), Hypochlora alba, is a spur-throated grasshopper.8
1 Images courtesy of Whitney Cranshaw, Department of Entomology, Colorado State University (www.ipmimages.org).
2 Image courtesy of Ronald Smith, Auburn University (www.ipmimages.org).
3 Image courtesy of Marlin Rice, Department of Entomology, Iowa State University (www.ent.iastate.edu/imagegallery/).
4 Image courtesy of Joseph Berger (www.ipmimages.org).
5 Image courtesy of R. J. Reynolds Tabacco Company Slide Set (www.ipmimages.org).
6 Image courtesy of Howard Ensign Evans, Colorado State University (www.ipmimages.org).
7 Images courtesy of Susan Ellis (www.ipmimages.org).
8 Images courtesy of Gerald M. Fauske, Department of Entomology, North Dakota State University (http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/entomology/hopper/orthoptera_home.htm).
Precautionary Statement: All pesticides have benefits and risks, however following the label will maximize the benefits and reduce risks. Pay attention to the
directions for use and follow precautionary statements. Pesticide labels are considered legal documents containing instructions and limitations. Inconsistent
use of the product or disregarding the label is a violation of both federal and state laws. The pesticide applicator is legally responsible for proper use.
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