PEST PROFILES: MISCELLANEOUS CHEWING PESTS
Picture of a Differential Grasshopper
Differential Grasshoppers

Picture of Rainbow Grasshopper
Rainbow Grasshopper

Picture of Banded-winge Grasshopper
Banded-winged Grasshopper

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Grasshoppers

Description:
Adult differential grasshoppers are brown to olive green and yellow and up to 1-3/4 inches long. Some individuals are melanistic in all instars. The hind legs (femora) are enlarged for jumping and are marked with chevron-like black markings. Wingless nymphs resemble adults.

Damage:
Although grasshoppers will feed on almost any kind of vegetation, they are often present without causing enough damage to warrant control measures.

Life cycle:
Overwinters as eggs or adults during mild winters. Eggs are deposited in 1 inch long packet-like masses or pods 1/2 to 2 inches deep in the soil. Each packet can contain over 25 eggs. Eggs are oviposited in grassy areas of uncultivated land such as roadsides, field margins and pastures. Tiny grasshopper nymphs hatch from eggs in the spring. Nymphs develop through 5 or 6 instars as they grow larger and develop wing pads. Nymphs develop into adults in 40 to 60 days. There is generally 1 generation per year.