Feeding preferences of economically significant grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Montana

Feeding Preferences of Economically Significant Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Montana
Christopher Caron1, Tiziana Oppedisano2,3, Bryan Fisher1, Kaelin Smith2,3 and Hayes Goosey1
Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are a economically significant pest of Montana agriculture. The migratory grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes), two-striped grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus), differential grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis), red-legged grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum), and clear-winged grasshopper (Camnula pellucida) are notable for their recurring outbreak patterns and potential for causing economic losses to Montana productions. Despite years of research and efforts in developing effective management practices, grasshoppers remain pests of concern in small grain, forage, and pulse crops.
The objective of this 2-yr study is to investigate the feeding preference of the five grasshopper species mentioned above. Three pulses, including dry pea, lentil, and chickpea are our target crops, while other crops including wheat and barley (cereals), and alfalfa and sainfoin (forages), are evaluated for potential trap crop uses in pulse fields.
The experimental design is a randomized complete block where each plot consists of seeding single rows of nine crops in 3×3 m plots, replicated across five grasshopper species for a total of 20 plots. After crops emergence, insect-proof cages (3×3×1.5 m) were built on top of the plots, and individuals of each grasshopper species were released into single cages. Feeding damage was collected weekly using a combination of visual inspections with photograph support and percent defoliation was recorded. This on-going research aims to improve understanding of how trap crops can be used as a cultural control strategy against grasshopper pests in pulse crops.