South Dakota
| South Dakota | |
|---|---|
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| South Dakota is within: | |
| Country: | United States of America |
South Dakota, located just south of North Dakota in the north-central United States, features a mix of prairies, farmland, and rangeland that provide suitable habitat for grasshoppers. Outbreaks are most common in the western part of the state, where lower rainfall and open rangeland create ideal conditions.
State ecology
South Dakota’s diverse landscapes—from mixed-grass prairies in the west to row-crop agriculture in the east—support a wide range of grasshopper species. While these insects are a natural and important part of prairie ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling and serving as a food source for birds and other wildlife, several species become agricultural pests during outbreak years.
Aside from the Black Hills, western South Dakota is largely made up of mixed grass prairie, where reduced rainfall has led to the dominance of shorter grasses over midgrasses. Common short grass species in this region include blue grama, needle and thread, western wheatgrass, prairie Junegrass, and little bluestem. Western South Dakota has a semi-arid climate with long, cold winters and short, hot summers. Average summer temperatures reach around 80°F, while January temperatures average 24°F, often dropping below 10°F.[1]
Highlighted species from South Dakota
| Species | Official common name | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Aeoloplides turnbulli | Turnbull’s grasshopper | 
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| Aeropedellus clavatus | Club-horned grasshopper | 
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| Ageneotettix deorum | White-whiskered grasshopper | 
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| Amphitornus coloradus | Striped grasshopper | .jpg)
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| Anabrus simplex | Mormon cricket | 
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| Arphia conspersa | Speckled rangeland grasshopper | 
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| Arphia pseudo-nietana | Red-winged grasshopper | 
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| Aulocara elliotti | Big-headed grasshopper | 
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| Aulocara femoratum | White cross grasshopper | |
| Boopedon nubilum | Ebony grasshopper | 
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| Brachystola magna | Plains lubber grasshopper | 
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| Camnula pellucida | Clear-winged grasshopper | 
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| Chortophaga viridifasciata | Northern green-striped grasshopper | 
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| Cordillacris crenulata | Crenulated winged grasshopper | .jpg)
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| Cordillacris crenulata | Crenulated winged grasshopper |
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| Cordillacris occipitalis | Western spotted-winged grasshopper | .jpg)
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| Derotmema haydenii | Hayden's grasshopper | 
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| Dissosteira carolina | Carolina grasshopper | 
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| Encoptolophus costalis | Dusky grasshopper | |
| Eritettix simplex | Velvet-striped grasshopper | |
| Hadrotettix trifasciatus | Threebanded grasshopper | |
| Hesperotettix viridis | Meadow purple-striped grasshopper | 
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| Hypochlora alba | Cudweed grasshopper | 
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| Melanoplus angustipennis | Narrow-winged sand grasshopper | 
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| Melanoplus bivittatus | Two-striped grasshopper | 
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| Melanoplus borealis | Northern grasshopper | |
| Melanoplus bowditchi | Sagebrush grasshopper | |
| Melanoplus bruneri | Bruner spur-throated grasshopper | 
|
| Melanoplus confusus | Pasture grasshopper | |
| Melanoplus dawsoni | Dawson's spur-throat grasshopper | |
| Melanoplus differentialis | Differential grasshopper | 
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| Melanoplus differentialis | Differential grasshopper |
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| Melanoplus femurrubrum | Red-legged grasshopper | _(43478105211).jpg)
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| Melanoplus foedus | Striped sand grasshopper | 
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| Melanoplus gladstoni | Gladston grasshopper | |
| Melanoplus infantilis | Little spur-throated grasshopper | _in_profile_Mathew_L._Brust.png)
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| Melanoplus keeleri | Keeler grasshopper | 
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| Melanoplus kennicottii | Kennicott's spur-throat grasshopper | |
| Melanoplus lakinus | Lakin grasshopper | |
| Melanoplus occidentalis | Occidental grasshopper | |
| Melanoplus packardii | Packard grasshopper | 
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| Melanoplus sanguinipes | Migratory grasshopper | 
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| Mermiria bivittata | Two-striped mermiria grasshopper | 
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| Metator pardalinus | Blue-legged grasshopper | 
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| Orphulella speciosa | Pasture grasshopper | |
| Phlibostroma quadrimaculatum | Four-spotted grasshopper | File:File:Fld-Phqu2N01-03.jpg |
| Phoetaliotes nebrascensis | Large-headed grasshopper | .jpg)
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| Pseudochorthippus curtipennis | Marsh meadow grasshopper | .jpg)
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| Psoloessa delicatula | Brown-spotted range grasshopper | |
| Spharagemon collare | Mottled sand grasshopper | |
| Spharagemon equale | Say's grasshopper | 
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| Trachyrhachys kiowa | Kiowa grasshopper | 
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| Xanthippus corallipes | Red-shanked grasshopper | 
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Species of management concern
Out of more than 110 grasshopper species found in South Dakota, about 12 are considered economically significant to rangeland. [1] The most commonly reported grasshopper species are the two-striped grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus), red-legged grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum), and differential grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis). [2]
Grasshopper management
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), collaborates with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension. These agencies conduct annual surveys to monitor grasshopper populations, with a focus on high-risk areas such as the western part of the state. SDSU Extension supplements these efforts with producer reports, scouting recommendations, and guidance on economic thresholds to inform control decisions. It also promotes integrated pest management strategies that combine monitoring, cultural practices, and insecticide use when needed. Outreach through educational materials, workshops, and online resources supports landowners in identifying and managing grasshopper populations. Management practices often include early-season surveillance, targeted treatments—such as Reduced Agent and Area Treatments (RAATs)—and sustainable grazing strategies to reduce suitable grasshopper habitat. These combined efforts aim to reduce the economic and ecological impact of grasshopper outbreaks on South Dakota’s rangelands and croplands.
Select photos from South Dakota
No images found for this query—should be coming soon!
Outbreaks
Grasshopper populations in South Dakota follow cyclical patterns, often peaking during consecutive hot, dry summers with warm falls. Outbreaks are most common in the western and central parts of the state, where annual rainfall is typically lower and rangelands are extensive. In these areas, overgrazed pastures, roadside ditches, and uncultivated land can serve as breeding grounds, allowing pest species to spread into nearby cropland.
Organizations
| Organization name | Acronym | Website | Type | Focus | Focus keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| South Dakota State University Extension | https://extension.sdstate.edu | University | Education, Research, Monitoring, Management | Extension |
Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (2020) Final South Dakota Environmental Assessment: Rangeland Grasshopper and Mormon Cricket Suppression Program. Executive Agency Publication, SuDoc A 101.2:G 76/7/FINAL. USDA APHIS, Washington, DC. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-A101-PURL-gpo141785/pdf/GOVPUB-A101-PURL-gpo141785.pdf
- ↑ Varenhorst A, Rozeboom P, Wagner P, McManus B (2023) Large grasshopper populations detected in South Dakota. South Dakota State University Extension. https://extension.sdstate.edu/large-grasshopper-populations-detected-south-dakota