WINNIPEG, May 12 (CNS) – A mild winter and a warm, dry spring have created favourable hatching conditions for grasshoppers in Alberta, with the possibility of a severe outbreak in some areas.
Mark Cutts, a crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture, says higher numbers of grasshoppers lie in a region northwest of Edmonton. After that, the numbers increase in the Peace River area before becoming severe to potentially very severe in the North Peace.
There is less of a potential problem in southern Alberta were numbers are generally rated moderate to very light with the odd severe patch.
“They’re (grasshoppers) not scared off by northern latitudes. Northern Peace has been dry, so that’s always a good recipe for population increases because that’s kind of what they thrive on – is those dry type conditions,” he said.
At this point few, if any, of the eggs have hatched, but it should happen soon, said Cutts.
“The potential for good hatches is there, even areas that are light may end up with good hatches,” he noted.
As crops emerge he expects the pests to move into cereal crops or another preferred food.
Fortunately for pea farmers, grasshoppers don’t count them as their favourite menu items. However, the same doesn’t hold true for lentils, said Cutts.
“Potentially there is some interaction with lentil crops and grasshoppers. It will come down to numbers and weather conditions,” he said.
Heading into next week, it appears weather conditions will remain conducive for grasshopper development in Alberta.
Cutts says numbers could take a hit though, if major rain develops at a crucial time.
“If they were just hatching and there was a significant rainfall event that’s when they are susceptible. Prior to that, heavy rain on eggs themselves, typically doesn’t cause a lot of concerns,” he said.
Once the insects are fully grown though, Cutts says they can simply crawl up on the plant to escape water threats.
