Arizona

Arizona
Arizona is within:
Country:	United States

Rangeland portal / Arizona

Arizona is a southwestern U.S. state known for its biodiverse landscape that range from the arid Sonoran Desert to the forested mountains of the Colorado Plateau. With a warm climate, Arizona experiences hot summers in the lowlands and cooler temperatures in the higher elevations. Arizona is home to hundreds of species of grasshoppers and only a handful cause problems for rangeland and agriculture. However, during periods of drought or population booms, grasshoppers can become pests, causing significant damage to crops and vegetation.

State ecology

Grasshoppers in Arizona are important herbivores, influencing plant communities and serving as prey for many predators, such as birds, reptiles, and mammals. Arizona has the highest concentration and diversity of Orthoptera in the United States including species that may be unique to the state or only found in parts of neighboring Sonora, Mexico. There are 294 species of Orthoptera, in 14 families, that have been recorded in Arizona.

Most grasshoppers in Arizona are semelparous, meaning they reproduce once in their lifetime before dying. They lay their eggs in the soil, where they overwinter in diapause. Depending on the species, egg clutches can range from just a few to over a hundred. Hatching occurs in two distinct seasons: a smaller group emerges after winter rains, maturing into adults by April or May, while a much larger group hatches following the summer monsoons, peaking in abundance from late August to early October. The number of generations per year largely depends on the timing and intensity of the summer monsoons, while nymphs typically hatch in the spring when temperatures are warmer.

Species gallery

• Highlighted species for Arizona
• 
  Pristoceuthophilus arizonae
• 
  Plains lubber grasshopper (Brachystola magna)
• 
  Little spur-throated grasshopper (Melanoplus infantilis)
• 
  Hayden's grasshopper (Derotmema haydenii)
• 
  Badlands cricket (Gryllus personatus)
• 
  Huachuca grasshopper (Conalcaea huachucana)
• 
  Algodones sand treader cricket (Macrobaenetes algodonensis)
• 
  Cattail toothpick grasshopper (Leptysma marginicollis)
• 
  Western spotted-winged grasshopper (Cordillacris occipitalis)
• 
  Pallid-winged grasshopper (Trimerotropis pallidipennis)
• 
  Alkali grasshopper (Anconia integra)
• 
  Cream grasshopper (Cibolacris parviceps)
• 
  Speckled rangeland grasshopper (Arphia conspersa)
• 
  Egyptian locust (Anacridium aegyptium)
• 
  Bruner spur-throated grasshopper (Melanoplus bruneri)
• 
  Brown-spotted range grasshopper (Psoloessa delicatula)

Species of management concern

A relatively small number of grasshopper species are responsible for the majority of damage to cultivated crops. The most common grasshopper species in Arizona is the pallid-winged grasshopper (Trimerotropis pallidipennis), followed by the gray bird grasshopper (Schistocerca nitens), both are found year-round. The pallid-winged grasshopper can be highly prolific, capable of producing two or three generations per year during a favorable rainy season, but may produce only one or none in dry years. In southern Arizona, the migratory grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes) and differential grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis), cause the most significant harm. While certain species are consistently problematic, others may become important pests in specific regions or under particular conditions. The economic impact of grasshoppers is influenced by their food plant preferences and population numbers. Many species that affect important crops are omnivorous, though they can still show a preference for certain plants while avoiding others. Some grasshopper species, however, are highly specialized and cannot survive without specific plants. For instance, Clematodes larreae and Bootettix punctatus rely exclusively on the creosote bush (Larrea divaricata) for survival.

View U.S. Grasshopper Forecast Hazard Maps

Grasshopper management

Grasshopper management in Arizona is a multi-agency effort involving USDA-APHIS Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program, the APHIS PPQ Science & Technology Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory Phoenix Station (IMMDL), and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension provides guidance on monitoring grasshopper populations and implementing control strategies. Through the Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program, APHIS conducts surveys and, upon request, implements suppression treatments using insecticides like carbaryl, malathion, and diflubenzuron. These treatments are carefully planned to minimize environmental impact and are typically applied during the early nymph stages of grasshoppers for maximum effectiveness.

The IMMDL plays a key role in developing and testing innovative control strategies, including biological methods using fungal pathogens, sterile insect techniques, environmentally friendly insecticides, and advanced application technologies such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). They also incorporate Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to enhance monitoring and improve treatment precision. Complementing this work, their Rangeland Unit has led important field studies, including a demonstration that 2% carbaryl bait applied at just 5 lbs/acre is as effective as higher rates—reducing both costs and environmental impact. Their ongoing research on Metarhizium spp. biopesticides shows promise for improving pest mortality and pathogen persistence.

The IMMDL Phoenix station works closely with the Global Locust Initiative at Arizona State University on developing the US Rangeland Portal on HopperWiki and cataloging historical archives related to grasshopper management. The GLI also maintains a year-round colony of Melanoplus sanguinipes (migratory grasshopper), one of the most economically significant grasshopper species in the U.S. These colony specimens support a wide range of mission-driven research and management projects conducted by the Rangeland Unit and its partners.

Featured resource

• 
  Grasshopper Diversity and Community Ecology in the Madrean Sky Islands of Arizona

Select photos from Arizona

• 
  Boopedon nubilum
• 
  Melanoplus sanguinipes
• 
  Melanoplus sanguinipes
• 
  Melanoplus sanguinipes
• 
  Melanoplus sanguinipes
• 
  Melanoplus sanguinipes
• 
  Melanoplus sanguinipes
• 
  Phrynotettix tshivavensis
• 
  Phrynotettix tshivavensis
• 
  Phrynotettix tshivavensis

Outbreaks

In 1959, populations of the migratory and Lakin grasshopper in Arizona infested rangeland, with an average of 20 to 50 adults per square yard. In 1958, Arizona populations of pallidwinged grasshopper nymphs in low areas and along washes ranged from 50 to over 100 per square yard, feeding on both annual grasses and forbs. As spring progressed, late-stage nymphs and adults moved into irrigated crops. In small grain fields, populations of 25 to 50 adults per square yard caused defoliation of wheat and severed heads. In cotton fields, grasshopper numbers reached 5 to 10 per square yard, resulting in seedling plants being consumed down to the ground. This damage forced growers to replant large areas, with some needing to replant twice due to ongoing grasshopper invasions. Other crops affected in Arizona in 1958 included carrots, sugarbeets, barley, milo, and corn.

From 1952 to 1980, six outbreaks of the pallid-winged grasshopper occurred in Arizona lasting 1–2 years at a time. In 1958, Arizona populations of pallid-winged grasshopper nymphs in low areas and along washes ranged from 50 to over 100 per square yard, feeding on both annual grasses and forbs. As spring progressed, late-stage nymphs and adults moved into irrigated crops. In small grain fields, populations of 25 to 50 adults per square yard caused defoliation of wheat and severed heads. In cotton fields, grasshopper numbers reached 5 to 10 per square yard, resulting in seedling plants being consumed down to the ground. This damage forced growers to replant large areas, with some needing to replant twice due to ongoing grasshopper invasions. Other crops affected in Arizona in 1958 included carrots, sugarbeets, barley, milo, and corn.

In 1980, nearly one million acres were infested, with densities reaching 25 adult grasshoppers per square yard—a 50% increase from the previous year and the worst outbreak in two decades. Governor Bruce Babbitt declared a state of emergency in Yavapai County, prompting large-scale aerial spraying of malathion across seven counties to protect rangeland. Another major outbreak occurred in 1986, affecting 175,000 acres in southeastern Arizona with up to 35 grasshoppers per square yard. In 1989, a woman near Young in Gila County was hospitalized with pesticide poisoning after 4,000 acres were treated with malathion; she later recovered. Outbreaks continued into the 2000s, even drawing media attention in 2009 when grasshoppers swarmed Chase Field during an Arizona Diamondbacks game, appearing throughout the stadium but causing only minor annoyance to players.

Organizations

No results found in the database at this time—please reach out if you have any to share!

Resources

Name	Year published	Resource link	Descriptive keyword	Language	Author
APHIS regulatory documents	2018		Early warning, Ecology, Public health, Social science, Culture, insecticide, Infestations, Environmental assessment, Rangeland management, Pesticides, Bundle, Environmental impact	English	Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
ARS grasshopper species fact sheets	1994		Management, Species identification, Series	English	Agricultural Research Services, United States Department of Agriculture
Court rejects federal pesticide-spraying program on millions of acres of western rangelands	2025		Ecology, Spraying, Chemical control, Infestations, Management, Governance, Conservation, Land use management, Habitat	English
Field Guide to Common Western Grasshoppers	2002		Species identification, Field guide	English	United States Department of Agriculture, Robert E. Pfadt
Grasshopper infestation continues after pesticide spray canceled	2023		Spraying, Ecology, Environmental science, Infestations, Emergency response, Chemical control, Grazing	English	Alaina Mencinger
Grasshopper Integrated Pest Management User Handbook	2000		Biological control, Chemical control, Monitoring, Modeling, Population dynamics, Rangeland management, Decision making, Bundle, Ecology, Pesticides, Biopesticide, Integrated pest management	English	Agricultural Research Services, United States Department of Agriculture
Grasshopper watch	2022		Grasshoppers	English
Grasshoppers Are Descending on the West in Swarms	2021		Grasshoppers	English
Grasshoppers of the Western United States		View	Management, Species identification, Key	English	United States Department of Agriculture
Grasshoppers their habits and damage	1964	View	Grasshoppers, Outbreaks, Natural enemies, Ecology, Habitat, Quality illustrations, Species identification	English	United States Department of Agriculture
Hopper helper		View	Survey, Life cycle, Species identification, Integrated pest management	English	Wendal Cushing
Las Vegas resident shares experience as swarms of grasshoppers return to valley	2024		Outbreaks	English
Mega Disasters: Super Swarms of Locusts	2021		General locust education, Video	English
Montana.gov Orthoptera Field Guides		View	Species identification, Management, Biology, Distribution, Map, Rangeland management, Information hub, Website	English
Mormon cricket 'sludge' blankets northern Nevada roads causing crashes	2024		Media article, Outbreaks	English
Overview of the APHIS Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program	2022		Management, Chemical control, Grasshoppers, Governance, Video	English	APHIS PPQ Science & Technology Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (Phoenix Station), United States Department of Agriculture
Overview of the APHIS Rangeland Grasshopper and Moron Cricket Suppression Program	2022		Video, Grasshoppers, Management, Educational video	English	United States Department of Agriculture, APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine
Pest Grasshoppers of the West	2005	View	Management, Species identification	English	University of Wyoming
Protecting U.S. rangeland from grasshoppers and Mormon crickets	2021	View	Outbreaks, Infestations, Mormon crickets, Rangeland management, insecticide	English	United States Department of Agriculture
Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket suppression program	2019	View	Public health, Governance, Culture, Grasshoppers, Economics, Environmental assessment, Life cycle, Biology	English	United States Department of Agriculture
Rangeland Grasshopper Management	1993		Management, Species identification, Control	English	University of Wyoming, Jeffrey Lockwood, Scott Schell
The grasshoppers and other orthoptera of Arizona	1942	View	Grasshoppers, Agriculture, Taxonomy, Behavior, Biology, Species identification	English	University of Arizona, E. Ball, E. R. Tinkham, Robert Flock, C. T. Vorhies
The Grasshoppers of the Western U.S. Lucid mobile app	2016		Management, Species identification	English	APHIS PPQ Science & Technology Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (Phoenix Station), United States Department of Agriculture, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology of the USDA
UC Integrated Pest Management for Home Gardeners and Landscape Professionals	2013	View	Life cycle, Pesticide management, Management	English	University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program
UofA School & Home Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Newsletter Newsletter Grasshoppers	2023	View	Grasshoppers, Agriculture, Taxonomy, Behavior, Biology, Species identification	English	University of Arizona, Dawn H. Gouge, Tom J. Getts, Tim W. Stock, John F. Connett, Micah Gay
USDA APHIS-PPQ-Science & Technology Phoenix Lab Rangeland Unit project summary	2021		Summary, Set, Project, Project report	English, Spanish, French	APHIS PPQ Science & Technology Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (Phoenix Station), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture

Rangeland portal / Arizona