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Two-striped Grasshopper

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description Two-striped Grasshopper Overview

The Two-striped Grasshopper is a widespread insect species native to North America, scientifically known as Melanoplus bivittatus. It is easily identified by the two distinct pale yellow stripes running along its dorsal side from its head to its wing tips. As a common agricultural pest, it is known to heavily forage on grasses and field crops, causing significant economic damage to wheat, alfalfa, and corn yields during severe population outbreaks in the summer and early fall.

help Two-striped Grasshopper FAQ

What crops do Two-striped Grasshoppers damage most?

Melanoplus bivittatus feeds on a wide variety of grasses, forbs, and crops including wheat, alfalfa, corn, and soybeans, making it one of the most destructive grasshopper species in North America. During outbreak years, populations can cause significant economic losses across agricultural regions of the United States and Canada.

How do I identify a Two-striped Grasshopper?

The Two-striped Grasshopper is easily identified by two distinct pale yellow stripes running along its dorsal side from the head to the wing tips. Adults are relatively large, with females typically reaching 25–40mm in body length, making them one of the more conspicuous grasshopper species in North American fields.

When are Two-striped Grasshoppers most active during the year?

Melanoplus bivittatus is most active during the summer months, generally from June through September across its North American range. Nymphs emerge in late spring and adults reach peak abundance in mid-summer, with populations declining as temperatures drop in autumn.

How can farmers control Two-striped Grasshopper outbreaks?

Control methods include chemical insecticide applications, biological control agents like Nosema locustae protozoa, and cultural practices such as tillage to disrupt egg-laying sites. Economic thresholds vary by crop, but treatment is generally recommended when populations exceed 8–12 grasshoppers per square yard in field margins.

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