An ecosystem perspective on grasshopper control: possible advantages to no treatment (original) (raw)

Control of Pest Grasshoppers in North America

Insects, 2020

Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) population outbreaks occur frequently and consume damaging amounts of livestock forage and crops on millions of hectares of the western USA. The main method of controlling grasshopper outbreaks there consists of aerially applied spray with chemical insecticides. Although it is relatively cheap, fast, and efficient, broad spectrum insecticides can pose a threat serious risks to human health, and non-target organism populations which impacts the environment. As an alternative, the use biological control organisms more specific to pest grasshoppers is a less environmentally hazardous alternative to traditional, synthetic insecticides. This paper reviews the many different (viral, bacterial, fungal) insect pathogens and application methods that have been tested as alternatives to synthetic insecticide sprays to manage pest grasshopper populations.

NF97-328 A Guide to Grasshopper Control in Cropland (Revised May 2004)

1997

Grasshoppers have been a major concern to farmers and ranchers since Nebraska was first settled. The potential for devastation, while still serious, is not as great as it was 100 years ago because many of the prime grasshopper breeding areas along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains are now under tillage. Statewide, grasshopper populations fluctuate in cycles with large numbers occurring for two to four years, followed by moderate numbers for several years. While grasshoppers can be found across the state, most damage occurs in areas with less than 25 inches of annual rainfall. In most years, the western half of Nebraska falls into this higher risk category and is most susceptible to severe grasshopper outbreaks.