Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers  Adult grasshoppers are brown, yellow, or green, 1-2in(2.5-5cm) insects with leathery fore wings and enlarged hind legs. Many have brightly colored under wings. Susceptible Plants- Adult grasshoppers eat any kind of vegetation Symptoms- Grasshoppers show a preference for flowers and some garden vegetables (e.g. lettuce, beans, sweet corn), but when populations are high they will feed on nearly all garden vegetables, as well as trees and shrubs. Defoliation of larger trees will have limited impact unless this defoliation continues for more than one year. Small trees and shrubs will be the most seriously affected. Grasshoppers will feed on just about anything as long as they do not detect a feeding deterrent. Reports are common of grasshoppers eating paper, paint, window screen, window caulking, fenceposts, hoe handles, etc. during grasshopper outbreak periods. These feeding habits need to be considered. Aluminum window screen is tough enough to resist grasshopper damage but other fabric screen is not. Life Cycle- There are three stages in the grasshopper life cycle — the egg, nymph, and adult. The female lays the eggs in the soil and surrounds the eggs with a frothy liquid that hardens to form a protective structure or “pod”. The number of egg pods deposited by a single female may range from 7 to 30, and the number of eggs per pod may vary from 8 to 30, depending on the species. Typically, a female grasshopper will lay about 100 eggs during the summer and fall.
Outbreaks are favored when females produce more eggs as a result of better food quality and/or an extended period in the fall to lay eggs. Egg pods are deposited in the upper few inches of soil in non-tilled areas, such as grasslands, pastures, ditches, etc. Some grasshoppers prefer to lay eggs in soil surrounded by roots of grasses while other species select open areas with only surface debris.
Prevention and Control- There are several natural enemies of grasshoppers, and while some of these become more numerous when outbreak populations occur, they are not likely to prevent populations from moving into yard and garden areas. Semaspore Organic Grasshopper Control contains Nosema locustae a naturally occurring single celled protozoan infects all stages of developing grasshoppers, mole crickets, Mormon and black field crickets. Nosema when ingested creates a disease that is specific to these pests. It will not harm any other living species..
DE Diatomaceous Earth Natural enemies work in concert and their overall effect will significantly impact seasonal populations. Some enemies of the grasshopper include blister beetle larvae and parasitic nematodes. Control measures are not generally necessary in organically managed gardens. Cultivating in autumn will kill overwintering grasshopper eggs.
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