New Mexico

New Mexico
New Mexico is within:
Country:	United States

Rangeland portal / New Mexico

New Mexico is located in the southwestern United States and features a diverse landscape of arid deserts, grasslands, and forested mountain ranges. The state's climate varies from hot, dry lowlands to cooler, high-altitude regions, creating a range of habitats for grasshoppers. The majority of species do not pose agricultural threats although certain grasshoppers can become pests during droughts or population surges, potentially damaging rangeland and crops.

State ecology

New Mexico features diverse landscapes and climates across multiple biogeographic provinces that provide habitats for many species of grasshoppers. Grasshopper diversity is greatest in the warm semi-arid grasslands and shrublands. However, they appear along a gradient from low-elevation hot, dry deserts to the cool, moist meadows and woodlands. Most grasshoppers in New Mexico deposit their eggs in the soil during late summer or autumn. These eggs remain in the soil throughout the winter and hatch in late spring when temperature and moisture conditions become favorable. The majority of common grasshoppers in New Mexico are summer species, including the migratory grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes), the big-headed grasshopper (Aulocara elliotti), and the white-whiskered grasshopper (Ageneotettix deorum), most other Melanoplus species, and Trimerotropis species, among others.

Some New Mexico grasshoppers follow a different cycle, hatching in late summer, developing through several instars, and overwintering as nymphs. They resume activity in spring, with adults laying eggs by midsummer. Known as spring species, common examples include Cibolacris parviceps, the red-shanked grasshopper (Xanthippus corallipes), the speckled rangeland grasshopper (Arphia conspersa), and the brown-spotted range grasshopper (Psoloessa delicatula). Other variations include high-elevation species with two-year cycles, eggs that remain dormant for years, and species like the pallid-winged grasshopper (Trimerotropis pallidipennis) in southern New Mexico, which can produce two generations in one summer.

Some species, like M. sanguinipes and T. pallidipennis, are widespread across various habitats, elevations, and regions. Others have more specific habitat requirements. For example, Melanoplus magdalenus is limited to high-elevation meadows in west-central New Mexico, Cibolacris samalayucae to certain sand dunes, and Anconia hebardi to specific salt flats in south-central New Mexico, west Texas, and north-central Mexico.

The smallest grasshopper in New Mexico are male Texas spotted range grasshoppers (Psoloessa texana) at around 10 mm and the largest being female gray bird grasshoppers (Schistocerca nitens) that measure about 70 mm. Size often differs geographically, particularly in relation to elevation—individuals of the same species tend to be smaller at higher elevations compared to those at lower elevations.

For a more detailed description of grasshopper distribution in New Mexico, see page 9 of Richman et al 1993.

Species gallery

• Highlighted species for New Mexico
• 
  Striped grasshopper (Amphitornus coloradus)
• 
  Sprinkled broad-winged grasshopper (Chloealtis conspersa)
• 
  Leather-colored bird grasshopper (Schistocerca alutacea)
• 
  Green fool grasshopper (Acrolophitus hirtipes)
• 
  Great basin grasshopper (Trimerotropis sparsa)
• 
  Syncopated scaly cricket (Cycloptilum comprehendens)
• 
  Turnbull’s grasshopper (Aeoloplides turnbulli)
• 
  Threebanded grasshopper (Hadrotettix trifasciatus)
• 
  Two-striped mermiria grasshopper (Mermiria bivittata)
• 
  Brown-spotted range grasshopper (Psoloessa delicatula)
• 
  Crackling forest grasshopper (Trimerotropis verruculata)
• 
  Dawson's spur-throat grasshopper (Melanoplus dawsoni)
• 
  Cristate grasshopper (Conozoa texana)
• 
  Texas spotted range grasshopper (Psoloessa texana)
• 
  Flabellate grasshopper (Melanoplus occidentalis)
• 
  Northern green-striped grasshopper (Chortophaga viridifasciata)

Species of management concern

Grasshoppers in New Mexico Extension News 1951

In New Mexico, M. sanguinipes, several other Melanoplus species, the clear-winged grasshopper (Camnula pellucida), Hesperotettix viridis, and T. pallidipennis often show highly variable population densities, sometimes reaching outbreak levels. Most other species, while experiencing fluctuations, generally remain at lower densities.

Optimal conditions for summer grasshoppers in New Mexico include a mild autumn for egg laying, a cool, wet winter for plant growth, and a dry, warm spring for nymph development. Species prone to high densities, like M. sanguinipes, typically build up over several years, with populations rising for 2–5 years before peaking in an outbreak year. Whether populations continue to grow or peak depends largely on weather—favorable conditions support growth, while unfavorable years can slow or halt the increase. Grasshopper populations are influenced by predators and parasites, though weather plays a larger role. Key predators in New Mexico include birds, robber flies, and hunting wasps, while rodents, bee fly larvae, blister beetle larvae, and ground beetles prey on eggs. Notable parasites include fly larvae, the protozoan Nosema locustae, and the fungus Entomophthora grylli.

View U.S. Grasshopper Forecast Hazard Maps

Grasshopper management

Certain North American Indian tribes, including the Navajo, recognized grasshoppers as pests. They observed their link to drought and noted that females laid eggs in the soil. To protect crops, the Navajo used plant extracts, such as Oxytropis lambertii and Phlox stansburyi, though their effectiveness is unknown.

Since the 1500s, subsistence farming was widespread in New Mexico's non-Indian communities. Drought and grasshoppers influenced crops, livestock, settlement growth, hunting, and local economies, as in other parts of the West. For some firsthand accounts of grasshopper and locust outbreaks in this time period see Briggs 1934.

The first recorded grasshopper plagues in New Mexico occurred in 1927. By the early 1930s, their numbers steadily increased in several northern counties during a prolonged drought. In 1933, the New Mexico legislature allocated $2,000 for grasshopper control, but this was insufficient for the drought-stricken state. The vast infested areas and high costs of bait and application hindered early state and local control efforts. In 1934, Congress allocated over $2.3 million for national grasshopper control, providing New Mexico with 460 tons of sodium arsenate-bran bait, which helped reduce infestations (USDA environmental impact statements within Richman et al 1993). By the early 1950s, a grasshopper outbreak was developing in northern New Mexico. Sodium arsenate bait had been replaced by aldrin, chlordane, and toxaphene, with recommendations to treat hatching sites, field margins, and infested areas before nymphs matured and dispersed.

By the mid-1950s, the USDA’s Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, now APHIS, and state agencies began systematic grasshopper surveys across New Mexico and other western rangelands, targeting high-population areas for chemical control. USDA entomologist Lee Seaton (1955–1964) started recording grasshopper identifications statewide, a practice continued by APHIS, New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service, and the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Today, APHIS continues to monitor and mange grasshoppers in New Mexico. Control is predominantly done with chemical methods using carbaryl, malathion, and diflubenzuron.

Featured resources

• 
  A Manual of the Grasshoppers of New Mexico

Select photos from New Mexico

• 
  Acrolophitus hirtipes
• 
  Acrolophitus hirtipes
• 
  Aeoloplides turnbulli
• 
  Aeoloplides turnbulli
• 
  Aeoloplides turnbulli
• 
  Aeoloplides turnbulli
• 
  Aeoloplides turnbulli
• 
  Aeoloplides turnbulli
• 
  Amphitornus coloradus
• 
  Amphitornus coloradus
• 
  Amphitornus coloradus
• 
  Amphitornus coloradus
• 
  Amphitornus coloradus
• 
  Amphitornus coloradus
• 
  Aulocara elliotti
• 
  Aulocara elliotti
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Outbreaks

USDA bulletin No. 293 grasshopper outbreaks in 1913

1868: Swarms of the Rocky Mountain locust moved through New Mexico.

1913: Outbreak of Dissosteira longipennis in New Mexico during the summer of 1913 extended about 500 square miles, impacting cattle grazing and crops. Trains were stopped by grasshoppers massing on the tracks.

1927: First recorded grasshopper plague in the state.

Early 1930s: Populations increased in northern counties during a prolonged drought. (USDA environmental impact statements within Richman et al 1993).

1950s: An outbreak developed in northern New Mexico.

1967/68: Major outbreak covered over 5.5 million acres, with 19 counties severely affected.

1979: Peak of cooperative control efforts, with 1.5 million acres treated.

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
A Manual of the Grasshoppers of New Mexico	1993	View	Biology, Life cycle, Natural history, Natural sciences, Behavior, Population dynamics, New Mexico, Management, estimation of grasshopper densities, insecticide, Biological control, New Mexico grasshoppers, Indigenous knowledge, History, county map distribution, Distribution, Glossary, Species identification, annotated alphabetical list of New Mexico grasshoppers, Morphology, Identification	English	New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service, D.B. Richman, D.C. Lightfoot, C.A. Sutherland, DJ. Ferguson
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
CARMA		View	Prototype cropland, Advice, Rangeland management, Crop health, Grasshoppers, Infestations, Outbreaks	English	Scott Shell Extension Entomology, University of Wyoming
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 (Acrididae) of Colorado	1982		Biology, Species identification, Ecology, Behavior, Physiology, Management	English	Colorado State University, John Capinera, TS Sechrist
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 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
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 / New Mexico