Arizona

Arizona
Arizona is within:
Country:	United States of America

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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.

Highlighted species from Arizona

Species	Official common name	Image
Aeropedellus clavatus	Club-horned grasshopper
Ageneotettix deorum	White-whiskered grasshopper
Amphitornus coloradus	Striped grasshopper
Anabrus simplex	Mormon cricket
Arphia conspersa	Speckled rangeland grasshopper
Arphia pseudo-nietana	Red-winged grasshopper
Aulocara elliotti	Big-headed grasshopper
Aulocara femoratum	White cross grasshopper
Boopedon nubilum	Ebony grasshopper
Brachystola magna	Plains lubber grasshopper
Camnula pellucida	Clear-winged grasshopper
Chortophaga viridifasciata	Northern green-striped grasshopper
Cordillacris crenulata	Crenulated winged grasshopper
Cordillacris crenulata	Crenulated winged grasshopper
Cordillacris occipitalis	Western spotted-winged grasshopper
Derotmema haydenii	Hayden's grasshopper
Dissosteira carolina	Carolina grasshopper
Encoptolophus costalis	Dusky grasshopper
Eritettix simplex	Velvet-striped grasshopper
Hadrotettix trifasciatus	Threebanded grasshopper
Hesperotettix viridis	Meadow purple-striped grasshopper
Melanoplus angustipennis	Narrow-winged sand grasshopper
Melanoplus bivittatus	Two-striped grasshopper
Melanoplus bowditchi	Sagebrush grasshopper
Melanoplus bruneri	Bruner spur-throated grasshopper
Melanoplus confusus	Pasture grasshopper
Melanoplus differentialis	Differential grasshopper
Melanoplus differentialis	Differential grasshopper
Melanoplus femurrubrum	Red-legged grasshopper
Melanoplus foedus	Striped sand grasshopper
Melanoplus gladstoni	Gladston grasshopper
Melanoplus infantilis	Little spur-throated grasshopper
Melanoplus lakinus	Lakin grasshopper
Melanoplus occidentalis	Occidental grasshopper
Melanoplus packardii	Packard grasshopper
Melanoplus rugglesi	Nevada sage grasshopper
Melanoplus sanguinipes	Migratory grasshopper
Mermiria bivittata	Two-striped mermiria grasshopper
Metator pardalinus	Blue-legged grasshopper
Oedaleonotus enigma	Valley grasshopper
Phlibostroma quadrimaculatum	Four-spotted grasshopper	File:File:Fld-Phqu2N01-03.jpg
Phoetaliotes nebrascensis	Large-headed grasshopper
Pseudochorthippus curtipennis	Marsh meadow grasshopper
Psoloessa delicatula	Brown-spotted range grasshopper
Spharagemon collare	Mottled sand grasshopper
Spharagemon equale	Say's grasshopper
Trachyrhachys kiowa	Kiowa grasshopper
Trimerotropis pallidipennis	Pallid-winged grasshopper
Xanthippus corallipes	Red-shanked grasshopper

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 grasshoppers, like 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

When a prompt response to a developing grasshopper outbreak is required, a Federal agency or a State agriculture department (on behalf of a State, a tribe, a local government, or a private group or individual) may request assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to suppress rangeland grasshopper populations in 17 Western States. These States include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

The objectives of the APHIS Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program are to 1) conduct surveys of grasshopper populations in 17 Western States; 2) provide technical assistance to land managers; and 3) when requests are made and funds permit, suppress economically damaging grasshopper and Mormon cricket outbreaks on Federal, Tribal, State, and private rangeland. APHIS evaluates several factors to decide whether grasshopper suppression is necessary, including the pest species involved, the maturity of the pest population, the timing of treatment, the cost-effectiveness of the action, and ecological impacts.

Historically, poisoning was the primary method for controlling grasshoppers on cultivated lands, mainly targeting the Melanoplus and Schistocerca. Poison bait formulas were commonly made using bran, sawdust, liquid sodium arsenite (arsenic), and water. Another widely used bait, effective against other pests like cutworms and crickets, consists of bran, white arsenic or other toxic agents, water, and optional molasses or citrus additives for increased attractiveness.

Today, chemical insecticides remain a primary tool for managing grasshopper populations. APHIS has been actively involved in treating millions of acres across Western states to suppress grasshopper outbreaks. Carbaryl and malathion are widely used insecticides effective against grasshoppers. Diflubenzuron is also used at times and is an insect growth regulator.

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.

Organizations

Organization name	Acronym	Website	Type	Focus	Focus keywords
Behavioral Plasticity Research Institute	BPRI	https://behavioralplasticity.org/	Other	Research, Education	Phenotypic plasticity, Phase polyphenism
Global Locust Initiative	GLI	https://www.locust.asu.edu	University	Research, Education, Information Hub	Sustainable development, Ecology, Nutrition, Social science, Natural sciences, Agriculture, Agroecology, Biology, Behavior, Biological control, Climate change, Education, Sustainability science, Geometric framework, Grazing, Governance, Food security, Arts and humanities, Land use management, Landscape ecology, Locusts, Migration, Phase polyphenism, Phenotypic plasticity, Soil science
M3 Consulting		https://www.m3consulting.com/	Private Sector	Management	Robotics & drone technology
National Grasshopper Management Board	NGMB	https://www.sites.google.com/site/ngmborg/home	Non-profit Organization	Governance, Management	Coordination, Natural sciences
Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program at the United States Department of Agriculture		https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plant-pest-and-disease-programs/pests-and-diseases/grasshopper-mormon-cricket/ct_grasshopper_mormon_cricket	Government	Management, Education, Information Hub	Control, Forecasting, Monitoring
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension		https://extension.arizona.edu	University	Education, Research, Monitoring, Management	Extension
University of Arizona Department of Entomology	UofA	https://goggy.faculty.arizona.edu/	University	Research	Agricultural development
USDA-APHIS-PPQ-Science & Technology-Insect Management and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (Phoenix Station)		https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-protection-quarantine/about/science-technology/lab-programs/immdle-arizona	Government	Research, Management	Management, Natural sciences

Resources

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