Lesser marsh grasshopper

The Lesser marsh grasshopper (lat. Chorthippus albomarginatus) belongs to the order Orthoptera and the family Acrididae. This species is a common member of the slant-faced grasshoppers, widely distributed across the forest-steppe and steppe zones of Eurasia. Unlike migratory locusts, this pest is solitary, but during years of population outbreaks, it can cause significant damage to various agricultural crops.

The pest primarily targets cereal crops, including wheat, rye, oats, barley, and corn. It also feeds on perennial grasses, making it a common threat to hayfields and pastures. During periods of high population density, these insects may spread to seedlings of technical and vegetable crops, consuming leaf blades down to the midribs.

The life cycle consists of the egg stage (which overwinters in the soil), the nymph stage, and the adult stage. Females lay eggs in pods, depositing them in the top layer of the soil, typically in untilled land, roadsides, and field boundaries. Nymphs pass through five instars, feeding actively throughout the summer before developing into winged adults capable of flying and breeding.

Damage is characterized by irregular and coarse defoliation. Nymphs and adults first chew small holes in the leaves and then consume the entire leaf blade, leaving behind only the tough veins. During mass outbreaks, this grasshopper can destroy a large portion of the crop's green biomass, leading to reduced photosynthetic activity and a substantial decline in grain yield.

Control measures rely on a combination of agronomic and chemical practices. Deep autumn plowing is crucial, as it destroys egg pods and causes high egg mortality. In fields with high pest density, insecticides from the pyrethroid or organophosphate groups are used. It is also recommended to monitor nymph populations early in the season to ensure timely implementation of protective measures.