–by Jeff Whitworth — Field Crops
As noted before, grasshoppers seem to be really numerous this year throughout northcentral Kansas. We have seen, or heard about, more grasshopper-riddled fields (see pic 1) then we have maybe in the last 15-20 years. The species responsible for most of the crop damage is the common, relatively large, yellow, differential grasshopper (see pic 2). These grasshoppers are still feeding a little, but are also moving to grassy/weedy/undisturbed areas where they are depositing eggs in the soil. These eggs will then hatch next spring and the young nymphs can start feeding on any nearby crops.
Picture 1: Grasshopper riddled field (pic by Cayden Wyckoff)
Picture 2: Differential grasshopper (pic by Cayden Wyckoff)