Egyptian grasshopper

The Egyptian grasshopper (Anacridium aegyptium) belongs to the order Orthoptera and the family Acrididae. It is one of the largest grasshopper species found in the Mediterranean basin. These insects are easily identified by their brownish-grey color, dark horizontal stripes on their hind femurs, and distinct vertical stripes on their compound eyes, which provide a unique camouflage appearance.

This species is a polyphagous pest, meaning it feeds on a wide range of plant hosts. It is particularly damaging to fruit trees such as citrus, apples, pears, and peaches. Furthermore, it causes significant losses in vineyards and vegetable crops. In agricultural settings, they are known to attack both young nursery stock and mature trees, often preferring the lush foliage of the canopy.

The life cycle of the Egyptian grasshopper differs from migratory locusts as it generally maintains a solitary habit. Adults overwinter in protected areas, including dense foliage or crevices in wood and buildings. In the spring, they emerge to feed and reproduce. Females lay their eggs in the soil, and the resulting nymphs undergo five instar stages before reaching adulthood during the late summer months.

The primary damage caused by this insect involves heavy defoliation. Nymphs and adults chew through leaf margins and entire leaf blades, often leaving only the main veins. High populations can cause significant stress to the host plants, leading to reduced photosynthetic capacity, stunted development of fruit, and increased vulnerability to secondary pests or fungal diseases during the growth season.

Effective management strategies rely on a combination of cultural and chemical interventions.

• Deep tillage of soil to disrupt egg pods buried by females.
• Removal of weeds and thickets that serve as refugia for adult insects.
• Application of contact insecticides during the early nymphal stages to prevent maturity.
• Regular field monitoring to determine the threshold for chemical applications.