Latest news with #grasshoppers
CTV News
9 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Southern Alberta grasshopper population size dampened by rain
Farmers in southern Alberta are hopeful that rainfall has helped put a damper on grasshopper population sizes this year. A group of grasshoppers has the ability to wipe out a field of crops if they're not taken care of. While grasshopper outbreaks can be spotty, farmers know all too well the damage they can cause. 'Grasshoppers, they can totally decimate a crop. They can eat it almost right to the ground. So, it seems like if there's a few, there's a lot. And when there's a lot, they can do a lot of damage. Unless you get control of them right away,' said Sean Stanford, a farmer from Magrath, Alta. Grasshoppers flourish in hot and dry conditions like southern Alberta has seen this spring. But what rain the region has seen could help to keep the population down. 'They started hatching in mid-May, so it's a little bit early, and then they were clipped off by rain, and then they started hatching again and clipped off by that second good rain,' said Dan Johnson, a grasshopper expert and professor at the University of Lethbridge. 'A lot of places around southern Alberta had nine or 10 millimetres on about June 12 or so, so that wiped out a number of them.' Timely rain has kept the population at an average size. Any additional rain at this point won't stop more from hatching but can keep grasshopper numbers down. 'They're mostly in the older stages now, and they could probably take the rain, but when it rains, it's cool and they don't grow. They just wait it out. And the longer they wait it out … the lower survival they have,' said Johnson. While the population may not be significantly larger than last year. Farmers will still have to be on their toes. They'll do everything from spraying pesticides when there's an outbreak to more preventative measures. 'It seems like they overwinter in the ditches and the tall grass and things like that's where they get their eggs laid. So, if you can somehow keep your ditch grass shorter, that seems to be a help, because they seem to move in from the outsides of the field towards the middle,' said Stanford. The 2024 provincial grasshopper survey notes egg-laying conditions were ideal last fall. That means there's still a chance for large outbreaks to occur.
CBS News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Colorado's Summer bug boom: What to expect and how to protect yourself
From grasshoppers chewing through gardens to mosquitoes buzzing after afternoon storms, Colorado's insect activity is buzzing, and it's no coincidence. It's closely tied to the state's ever-changing weather. Lisa Mason, Horticulture Specialist and Entomologist, CSU Extension in Arapahoe County, said conditions this year are shaping up to favor some familiar pests, as well as a few beneficial bugs that still deserve our attention. Grasshoppers on the Rise Hot and dry conditions are ideal for grasshoppers, and that's exactly what's developing across Colorado's eastern plains. Mason says residents in those areas can expect to see an uptick in grasshopper activity, especially as vegetation dries out and fields and gardens become prime feeding grounds. Springtime Miller Moth Sightings are Becoming Less Frequent Yes, they're flitting around your porch light again. Miller moth season is starting to wind down for the spring migration. While they may be annoying, Mason emphasized that they are not harmful to humans or pets. In fact, they serve a purpose in the ecosystem as pollinators and a food source for birds and other wildlife. Three factors determine what Miller moth season will be like, Mason explained: Migration patterns Weather conditions Food availability With summer heat building, expect the moths to quickly head for the mountains, where they can find cooler temperatures and nectar sources. Mosquito Surge Following Wet Weather Thanks to recent storms, mosquitoes are making an early impact, and it's likely to intensify. Mason noted that wet conditions create ideal breeding grounds, and Arapahoe County Public Health has already reported double or even triple the number of mosquitoes in their surveillance traps from this week last year. To protect yourself, Mason recommends: Use insect repellents containing DEET Wear long sleeves and pants, especially at dawn and dusk Eliminate standing water around your home (birdbaths, buckets, clogged gutters) Keep windows and doors closed or screened to prevent indoor entry Japanese Beetles and Pine Beetle Trends Japanese Beetles are becoming a growing nuisance along the Front Range, and this summer may bring another high-impact season. Mason said their spread is closely tied to warm temperatures and moisture, both of which are lining up to support their activity again this year. Meanwhile, Pine Beetle populations and other forest pests remain a long-term concern in Colorado's forests. Recent patterns of warmer winters and dry summers are altering their behavior, sometimes limiting their success, but also stressing trees, making them more vulnerable. What About the Bees? While many bugs are considered pests, bees play a vital role in Colorado's ecosystems, and they've had their challenges. Mason said that fluctuating weather, particularly heat and dry conditions, can affect both pollination patterns and forage availability. Supporting bees through climate shifts means planting native, pollinator-friendly plants and limiting pesticide use, especially during bloom season. Are Bugs Reacting to Climate Shifts? Mason said that shifting weather extremes, such as hotter summers, milder winters, and more intense rain events, are already influencing insect behavior in Colorado. Some pest species are appearing earlier, staying longer, or expanding into new areas. Final Takeaway Whether you're trying to avoid mosquito bites, protect your garden from grasshoppers, or help pollinators thrive, understanding how weather drives bug behavior is key. As Mason put it, "Insects are part of our ecosystem. Some are pests, but many are essential. The better we understand how weather shapes their activity, the better prepared we are to respond."
