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Cereals: Grasshoppers (Various species)

Author: OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date: 04 July 2005
Last Reviewed: 28 July 2007
Pub 812: Field Crop Protection Guide > Chapter 5: Cereals > Grasshoppers

Excerpt from Chapter 5, Field Crop Protection Guide, Order this publication

Table of Contents

  1. Description
  2. Integrated Pest Management Options
  3. Related links...

Description

There are several species of grasshopper that may attack forages. They vary in colour from green to brown. Nymphs look similar to adults but are smaller and have incomplete wings. Both stages feed by chewing. All species have enlarged hind legs for jumping.

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Integrated Pest Management Options

More abundant in dryer years. If populations are high enough, wheat heads may be clipped. Seedling winter wheat is also at risk. Infestations usually begin along field borders. Early-season weed control can help eliminate food source for early-season nymphs, however, late-season weed control in and around the field will actually cause this insect to migrate from the weeds onto the crop and cause damage. If populations are high, spot spray in border areas that are infested before migration into the field occurs.

malathion – Malathion 500 EC
Active ingredient malathion
Trade name Malathion 500 EC
Rate per hectare (product) 2.25-2.75 L per ha
Rate per acre (product) 900-1,100 mL per ac

Comments
7 days to harvest. Less effective below 20°C (68°F).

cypermethrin – Ripcord 400 EC
Active ingredient cypermethrin
Trade name Ripcord 400 EC
Rate per hectare (product) 50-70 mL per ha
Rate per acre (product) 20-28 mL per ac

Comments
Ground and aerial application. Use lower rates for small grasshoppers and when soil temperatures are cool (15°C-20°C). Avoid spraying when temperatures are above 25°C. Repeat treatment as necessary. Do not graze treated crop or cut for hay. 60 days to harvest.

cyhalothrin-lambda – Matador 120 E
Active ingredient cyhalothrin-lambda
Trade name Matador 120 E
Rate per hectare (product) 63-83 mL per ha
Rate per acre (product) 26-34 mL per ac

Comments
Ground or aerial application. Apply the low rate when grasshoppers are up to the 3rd nymphal stage (up to 1 cm in length) or when insect numbers are low. Apply the high rate when grasshoppers are larger, up to but not including winged adults (up to 2.5 cm in length) or when insect numbers are high. 3 applications/yr, 2 may be by air. Allow a 7-day interval between treatments. In wheat, do not apply within 28 days of harvest or 14 days of livestock foraging. In barley and oats do not apply within 28 days of harvest or 14 days of livestock foraging.

carbaryl – Sevin XLR Plus
Active ingredient carbaryl
Trade name Sevin XLR Plus
Rate per hectare (product) 1.25-2.5 L per ha
Rate per acre (product) 0.5-1.0 L per ac

Comments
14 days to harvest for wheat, rye and oats. 28 days to harvest for barley. See label precautions applying to honeybees.

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Related links...

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