Grasshopper

Latin name: Caelifera (suborder)

Grasshoppers are common chewing pests found throughout Australia, particularly in gardens, parks, sports fields, pastures and agricultural crops. They are most active during spring, summer and early autumn, feeding on a wide range of grasses, vegetables, ornamental plants and shrubs. While small numbers generally cause minimal damage, large populations can rapidly defoliate plants and severely impact turf and crops.

Grasshoppers are most active during warm, sunny weather and readily move between lawns, gardens and surrounding vegetation.

Lifecycle

Grasshoppers undergo incomplete metamorphosis.

Females lay egg pods in bare or lightly vegetated soil.
Eggs hatch into wingless nymphs during spring.
Nymphs moult several times before developing wings.
Adults feed, reproduce and lay eggs before cooler weather arrives.

Most species complete one generation each year.

Identification

Adults range from 20–60 mm long.
Green, brown or grey depending on the species.
Powerful hind legs adapted for jumping.
Short antennae.
Adults have two pairs of wings and are capable of strong flight.
Nymphs resemble adults but lack fully developed wings.

Damage

Irregular holes chewed through leaves.
Defoliation of vegetables, ornamentals and shrubs.
Feeding damage to lawns and turfgrass.
Reduced growth of young plants and seedlings.
Severe infestations can strip foliage within a short period.

SOLUTIONS

On lawns, gardens and ornamental plants with active grasshoppers: Apply Apparent Surround to control feeding grasshoppers before significant plant damage occurs.

In larger landscapes, pastures and commercial turf: Apply Apparent Onslaught to reduce grasshopper populations during peak activity.

Where grasshoppers are damaging sports fields or golf courses: Apply ProForce Rumbler 1000SC to actively infested turf for residual control.

During spring and summer outbreaks: Monitor susceptible areas regularly and treat young nymphs early, before they develop into highly mobile adults.