Christian Message Boards: Drought triggers huge grasshopper infestation

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Posted by Kindgo (Member # 2) on :

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Weekend News Today Lead: Faith
Source: Weather.com/AP
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Sat Jul 20,2002 -- With their numbers swelling due to the drought, grasshoppers and Mormon crickets ravaging crops and pastures across the West in what could be the biggest such infestation since World War II. "They're even eating the paint off some of the houses," said Nebraska farmer Robert Larsen, who raises alfalfa, corn, soybeans and cattle on 1,600 acres where thousands upon thousands grasshoppers jump out of the way as he walks by in what looks like the parting of the sea. This large infestation threatens the livelihood of farmers and ranchers who are already suffering because of the drought. Last year, grasshoppers and Mormon crickets caused as much as $25 million in crop damage in Utah alone.
A mild winter and hot, dry weather since the spring has allowed more of the insects and their eggs to survive the cold. The drought has also cut into the population of birds and rodents that normally would have kept the insect numbers down. In some areas of Nebraska they've counted 50-100 grasshoppers per square yard in their fields, compared with 3-4 during a typical year. Even worse, near Steamboat Springs, Colo., about 200 grasshoppers per square yard invaded rangeland in June, reaching about 1 million grasshoppers per acre. "We probably have farmers that have never experienced it before. The ones that have are probably in their 60s or 70s," said Michael Cooper, chairman of the National Grasshopper Management Board and acting administrator for the Idaho Dept. of Ag.

Among the states hardest hit by this very large infestation are Nebraska, New Mexico, Idaho, Oregon and South Dakota. But, they're not alone, as outbreaks have also been reported in parts of most states west of the Mississippi River. And the problem could get a lot worse. Many of the grasshoppers are still young and will become more voracious after they have become winged adults this month. Also, grasshopper infestations can contribute to high numbers of other pests such as blister beetles, which feed on grasshopper eggs. The beetles, also known as potato bugs, blister the throats and stomachs of animals that eat them while feeding on alfalfa.

"This is probably the most widespread infestation I've seen," Jungren said, "and I've been in the business for 30 years."