MyFields

Scouting time

There are many species of grasshoppers in Kansas, and not all are crop pests, although most have the potential to inflict damage if present in large numbers. Damage can occur in fall or spring. Typically, grasshoppers invade from field margins as fall-planted wheat emerges. Occasionally,
heads may be damaged before harvest.

Sampling method

Vegetation bordering wheat fields should be inspected 10 days before planting.

Thresholds

Counts of seven to 12 grasshoppers per square yard signal potential problems. Once wheat has been planted, three or more hoppers per square yard within the field can destroy seedling wheat.

Chemical control

Grasshopper Management Options
Field Sprays	Rate
Alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac EC)	3.2 to 3.9 fl. oz./acre
Beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid XL)	0.014 to 0.019 lb. a.i./acre (1.8 to 2.4 fl. oz.)
Carbaryl (Sevin)	1.0 to 1.5 lb. a.i./acre
Chlorantraniliprole (Prevathon)	8.0 to 20.0 fl oz/acre.
Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban-4E)	Check label, but generally 0.5 to 1 pint/acre
Chlorpyrifos plus gamma-cyhalothrin (Cobalt Advanced)	6 to 13 fl. oz./acre
Chlorpyrifos plus zeta-cypermethrin (Stallion)	5.0 to 11.75 fl. oz./acre
Dimethoate (Dimethoate 4 EC)	3/4 pint/acre
Gamma-cyhalothrin (Proaxis)	0.01 to 0.015 lb. a.i./acre (2.56 to 3.84 fl. oz.)
Lambda-cyhalothrin (numerous products)	0.02 to 0.03 lb. a.i./acre
Malathion	57 1.5 pints/acre
Zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang MAXX, etc.)	0.02 to 0.025 lb. a.i./acre (3.2 to 4.0 fl. oz.)

Non-chemical controls

None listed.

Content authors

J.P. Michaud, Ph.D., Associate Professor, R. Jeff Whitworth, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Holly N. Schwarting, Ph.D., Research Associate

Department of Entomology, Wheat Insect Management 2015, Kansas State University, January 2015

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service Pub. MF745

Disclaimers

This content may not be suitable for states other than Kansas.

Grasshoppers (Kansas Wheat)