Grasshopper Programs in Fremont County by Lars Baker

Grasshoppers are always present in low numbers. In Fremont County we experience damaging outbreaks on a 15 to 20 year cycle. Droughty falls seem to provide good reproductive support and when the right weather conditions come together for a few years the grasshopper populations expand rapidly.

Fremont County Weed & Pest Control District participates in a state wide grasshopper survey designed to monitor grasshopper numbers and species. The goal is to predict outbreaks and allow for advanced planning. This works better in Eastern Wyoming than it does here. A relatively small Camnula out break in 2003 fit nicely between survey points and we did not respond very well as the survey did not indicate there was much of a problem. Across a few sections of land south of Lander there was considerable impact made worse by severe drought.

Other species of grasshoppers can occasionally damage crops. In the early 1980s, there were a lot of big grasshoppers in small grains where they caused a lot of crop loss. Grasshoppers destroy more than they eat. They feed at the base of a leaf or at the base of the head of grain, causing it to fall to the ground where it can’t be harvested, but is not eaten. Since the leaf or grain head falls to the ground the hopper moves to a new one. Thus, in small grains, a few hoppers can cause a lot of yield loss.

For these infrequent outbreaks, Fremont County Weed & Pest Control District does have a cost share program and can supply insecticides appropriate to the crop and species needing control. Call the District if you see more than the usual number of grasshoppers in your area. We  can address the outbreak before a lot of damage is done. Check out the links below for additional information.