You know you’re a pest species of grasshopper if you don’t fly around the field until June and you draw attention to yourself with loud behaviour.
If you have these attributes, then you won’t like entomologist Dan Johnson’s new book because it will help farmers and agrologists identify and make decisions about killing you and your progeny.
Johnson, a professor at the University of Lethbridge, has long been recognized for his extensive work on the insect.
His durable, 42 page, coil bound book is designed to reside in the tractor or truck cab and makes pest grasshopper species easy to differentiate from non-pest hoppers.
Read Also
VIDEO: Ag in Motion documentary launches second season
The second season of the the Western Producer’s documentary series about Ag in Motion launched Oct. 8.
Grasshopper Identification and Control Methods divides the insects into three groups based on their threat to agriculture: significant, low status, and neutral or beneficial.
The book informs producers about the stages of growth of the insects and the timing for control of those insects.
High quality colour photographs of the insects from the first through the fifth in-star of development help in making control decisions.
The book also identifies katydids and crickets, which can be mistaken for grasshoppers.
Cultural control methods, insecticides and the issue of economic thresholds are discussed.
Illustrations by Brian Olson of Hazlet, Sask., augment the high quality photographs, taken by Johnson.
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and Agriculture Canada were the principal funders of the project. The Canola Council of Canada, Bayer Crop Science, Alberta Ag Services Board and Environment Canada also played roles in the creation of the book.
Amanda Olekson of the pulse growers said the book fills a need for producers in field identification of the pests.
“They can be so localized that producers, especially in lentils, can have a severe problem very quickly and one they may not have much experience with. It can also help producers avoid treating for insects that aren’t a threat,” she said.
Producers can obtain a free copy by contacting Saskatchewan Pulse Growers at 306-668-5556 or by e-mail at pulse@saskpulse.com.
