Cataloipus cymbiferus

Cataloipus cymbiferus is a species of grasshopper belonging to the family Acrididae within the order Orthoptera. This insect is recognized as a significant agricultural pest in various regions, known for its ability to cause substantial damage to cereal crops and pastures when population densities spike under favorable environmental conditions.

The pest primarily targets a variety of grain crops, including sorghum, millet, maize, and wheat. Its diet is not limited to these crops; it is highly polyphagous and can consume a wide range of wild grasses, which serves as a reservoir for the population, allowing it to survive between crop seasons and adapt to various agro-ecosystems.

The life cycle of the species follows a hemimetabolous pattern, progressing through egg, nymph, and adult stages. Eggs are deposited by females into the soil, forming pods that remain in the ground during dormant periods. After hatching, nymphs undergo several instar stages, exhibiting increasing appetite and mobility as they mature into winged adults capable of flying over large distances.

Damage caused by this insect is characterized by heavy defoliation and stem boring, often resulting in significant yield loss or total destruction of the crop. In cases of severe outbreaks, grasshoppers can strip entire fields, leaving only stubble. The impact is exacerbated during drought periods when the pest is forced to congregate on the remaining green vegetation, concentrating the damage.

Effective management requires an integrated approach to suppress population growth. Recommended practices include:

• deep tillage of the soil to expose and destroy egg pods;
• regular scouting of fields to identify and treat early nymphal stages;
• application of approved insecticides when the economic threshold is exceeded;
• maintaining clean field borders to reduce areas suitable for breeding and shelter.