Summer Grasshopper Invasion in US Plains States Worst in 30 Yrs?

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Summer Grasshopper Invasion Expected

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uploaded by Liz McKibbon

Some Western Plains states are bracing for  the worst infestation of grasshoppers in 30 years.

Last fall, USDA studies of various states showed extraordinarily high numbers of grasshoppers for areas of Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Idaho. 

The Cost of Grasshopper Pesticides

 Farmers are raising money for pesticides and Wyoming has allocated $2.7 million for suppression efforts, but government officials for the state don't think this is nearly enough and nearly all of the $5.6 million grasshopper budget was spent by the USDA last fall.

Typically, the Plains states get the worst of insect infestations. If the outbreak is similar to the most recent outbreak in 1985 it could cost the federal government $40 million. Private landowners and farmers are expected to pay about $10 an acre for the spraying of aerial pesticides on their most vulnerable land.

Grasshopper Behaviour

A female grasshopper lays hundreds of eggs each season. Locals are also hoping wet and cold weather will prevent all the grasshopper eggs from hatching.

While the insects do provide food for wildlife in the area, the pests can consume their body weight of vegetation daily. Even if grasshoppers don't consume entire plants it often kills the vegetation due to damage to roots and leaves. Experts say the insects can travel up to 60 miles a day, rapidly destroying plant life.

Grasshopper Cycles

While this outbreak is to be considered the worst in three decades, news outlets have reported multiple infestations in the past two to three years. Entomologists say the insects are cyclical, and after a few years of massive population, they die off from disease or lack of food.

This summer has the potential to be the crest in this cycle, hopefully giving way to a lower grasshopper population the following growing season Ironically, despite getting a bad rap with farmers, grasshoppers are used as climate control scouts so may do some good yet.