Red-legged grasshopper

The red-legged grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) is a common species belonging to the order Orthoptera and the family Acrididae. It is widely distributed across North America and is considered a significant pest that affects various agricultural and garden plants, often reaching economically damaging population levels.

This species is highly polyphagous, meaning it feeds on a wide range of host plants. Primary targets include cereals, such as corn and wheat, as well as legumes like alfalfa and soybeans. In many cases, these grasshoppers move from roadside vegetation or fallow lands into neighboring fields, causing severe local defoliation.

The life cycle consists of a single generation per year, with the insect overwintering as eggs deposited in the soil. Nymphs emerge in the spring, typically from late May to June, and progress through five developmental instars. Adult grasshoppers appear in mid-summer and remain active until the first hard frosts of autumn.

Damage caused by this pest is primarily characterized by the consumption of leaf tissue, which reduces the plant's photosynthetic capacity. In advanced stages of infestation, they can feed on the stems, flowers, and developing seeds. This feeding behavior often leads to significant yield losses and lower quality of harvested produce.

Effective management strategies rely on integrated pest management (IPM) practices. Cultural controls, such as tillage to disrupt egg-laying sites, are highly effective. Additionally, chemical control using registered insecticides is recommended when nymphal populations exceed the economic threshold to prevent damage to the developing crop canopy.