This week, the grasshopper hatch is well underway across the prairies (Fig. 1 and 2) with most locations having approximately 15% hatch and some areas having 35% hatch.
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| Figure 1. Predicted percent of grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes) population at first instar stage across the Canadian prairies (as of June 4, 2019). |
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| Figure 2. Predicted percent of grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes) population at second instar stage across the Canadian prairies (as of June 4, 2019). |
Model runs for Saskatoon SK (Fig. 3), Lethbridge AB (Fig. 4), and Grande Prairie AB (Fig. 5) were projected to June 30, 2019. Results for Lethbridge and Saskatoon indicated that populations are primarily in the first and second instars. A survey of roadsides south of Saskatoon indicated that melanoplines were primarily first an second instars.
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| Figure 3. Predicted status of Melanoplus sanguinipes populations near Lethbridge AB projected to June 30, 2019. |
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| Figure 4. Predicted status of Melanoplus sanguinipes populations near Saskatoon SK projected to June 30, 2019. |
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| Figure 5. Predicted status of Melanoplus sanguinipes populations near Grande Prairie AB projected to June 30, 2019. |
Biological and monitoring information related to grasshoppers in field crops is posted by Manitoba Agriculture, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, the BC Ministry of Agriculture and the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. Also refer to the grasshopper pages within the new "Field Crop and Forage Pests and their Natural Enemies in Western Canada: Identification and management field guide" as an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.
