Grasshoppers are a very common insect that come in many sizes, shapes and colors.
Grasshoppers are insects of the suborder Caelifera within the order Orthoptera, which includes crickets and their allies in the other suborder Ensifera. They are likely the oldest living group of chewing herbivorous insects, dating back to the early Triassic period
around 250 million years ago. Grasshoppers are typically
ground-dwelling insects with powerful hind legs which enable them to
escape from threats by leaping vigorously.
Grasshoppers have the typical insect body plan of head, thorax and abdomen. Most grasshoppers are green or brownish, others are very brightly colored.
Grasshoppers can cause great economical damage to crops, turf, landscapes and gardens.
In fact, in peak years, grasshopper infestations have been known to destroy or consume entire crop fields. Although grasshoppers will feed on many different plants, they often prefer – and cause the most damage to – small grains, corn, alfalfa, soybeans, cotton, rice, clover, grasses, and tobacco. Crop damage is likely to be greatest in years
when dry weather accompanies high populations. Drought conditions reduce
natural vegetation, forcing grasshoppers to move to cultivated crops. (K-State Department of Entomology)
Grasshoppers go through five nymph stages before molting a last time, becoming adults.
As adults they have wings and can mate.
Grasshoppers are very heavy feeders at all stages and will eat almost anything. They prefer grass or plants in the grass family and weeds, but are just as likely to enjoy plants in a field or garden. As the season proceeds, heat and drought reduce vegetation the grasshoppers move to crops or areas where plants are irrigated.
Grasshoppers overwinter as eggs deposited in the soil the previous year. In late spring to early summer the eggs hatch and feeding begins. After becoming adults, they can live two to three months, being able to fly over 15 miles in search of food. There is one generation per year.
Grasshopper Control
Due to how mobile adults are, they are much harder to control, also adult grasshoppers have a very waxy exo-skeleton, helping them resist many chemicals. To help chemicals stick and penetrate that waxy exo-skeleton, you MUST add
Hi-Yield Spreader Sticker, a water soluble additive that increases absorption, translocaion and "sticking", to the mix when you spray. Nymph stages are less mobile and are more sensitive to chemicals so the earlier the application, the better.
The BEST success I have seen controlling grasshoppers is a mixture of
Hi-Yield Lawn, Garden, Pet & Livestock Spray with Hi-Yield Spreader Sticker. (Without the Hi-Yield Spreader Sticker, it only seems effective on young ones.) This is a nice broad spectrum product because of how many places you can use it, including vegetable gardens. Apply early in the morning to reduce the effect on beneficial insects and to take advantage of morning feeding grasshoppers.
To spray non-edible areas such as, the yard or weedy areas where grasshoppers may first appear use
Hi-Yield Bug Blaster Bifenthrin 2.4. Again, add Hi-Yield Spreader Sticker if you are not using the RTS.
Available in concentrate and ready-to-spray.
An organic option would be the
ferti•lome Triple Action. With this we do not add Spreader Sticker, it acts like one on it's own. It is OMRI listed for organic use.
Available in concentrate, ready-to-spray and ready-to-use.
For soil application in the garden, try
Hi-Yield Vegetable & Ornamental Insect Granules, a fast acting odor free granule available in 4-lb and 1-lb.
-Tony Meyer