GRASSHOPPERS
The battle between man and grasshoppers is an old one. The destructiveness of this
insect has been recorded from biblical times to the present. Large swarms can
consume almost every bit of green vegetation in sight. Only in recent history has
man been able to effectively protect his crops from total destruction. Grasshoppers
are an annual problem but usually only cause serious damage in rural areas. The
cycle begins as eggs laid the previous fall, hatching in spring. The young look much
like adult grasshoppers but have no wings. They start feeding on nearby green
plants, developing to maturity in 40 to 60 days. Years of heavy rainfall that
produce abundant grass growth in uncultivated areas favor the development and survival of
large numbers of hoppers. When wild grasses and other plants become dry, the
grasshoppers often migrate to irrigated cropland.
If your garden is located near open fields you can occasionally expect an invasion of
hungry uninvited guests. Natural parasites and predators that prey on grasshoppers
are very effective some years and if only a few hoppers reach your garden, no control is
needed. A few chewed leaves will not cause serious damage. Moderate numbers of
grasshoppers on certain vegetables can be treated with Malation or Sevin. Be sure to
read the label before use. Young grasshoppers are more easily controlled than larger
adults but don't expect them to die instantly. Insecticides are expensive and you
may need to consider abandoning the garden if the hoppers become too numerous.
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