college of agriculture ,badnapur msc plant pathology

2. PEST OF FORAGE CROPS
Submitted to
Dr S.K.Patil Sir
Dept of Agril Entomology
Submitted by
Patil lalit pandurang
Reg no 2019A18 MB
Dept of plant pathology

3.  Fodder and nutritional security for livestock population , which play a
vital catalytic role in Indian farming system , is a compulsive need for
the nation .
 Various natural and cultivated forages provide about 550 MT of green
fodder against the present yearly demand of 900 MT indicating deficit
of about 40 %
 India has only 4.9 % of its cropped area under fodder cultivation and
there is little scope for horizontal expansion of arable land and the
only alternative left is the vertical extension through increased crop
productivity .
 Forage crops are subjected to the degradation of pest and disease in the
same manner as in the agricultural produce .
 These hamper the forage crop establishment and impair quality of
forage.
INTRODUCTION

4. 1.Pest of lucerne crop
Tobacco caterpillar
Army worm
Cut worm
Leaf miner
Hairy caterpillar

5. Gram pod borer
Stem fly
Aphid

6. Common
Name
Scientific
Name
family order ovipositi
on
pupation Nature
of
damage
manage
ment
1.Cutwor
m
Argotic
epsilon
Noctuida
e
Lepidopt
era
Egg lay
on
ventral
leaf
surface
In the
soil
Caterpill
ar feed
on the
tender
leaves
during
night .
Apply
linden
dust
@125kg/h
a.
2.Army
worm
Mythimn
a
seperata
Noctuida
e
Lepidopt
era
Lay eggs
on
central
leaves
In the
soil
The
larvae
feed in
night
only and
defoliate
whole
plant.
Ploughin
g the
field
after
harvest.
3.Tobacc
o
caterpilla
r
Spodopter
a litura
Noctuida
e
Lepidopt
era
Lay eggs
in
masses
on
tender
leaves .
In the
earthen
cocoon .
The
caterpilla
r feed
gregario
usly on
leaves
Spraying
SNPV
@250LE.

7. 4.Leaf
miner
Apoaerem
a
modicella
gelechid
ae
lepidopt
era
Eggs are
laid on
tender
leaves.
In the
leaf
miner
Larvae
mine
upper
epidermi
s in early
stage.
Spraying
crop
with
0.05%mo
nocrotop
hos.
5.Hairy
caterpilla
r
Asmascta
moorei
Arctiidae Lepidop
tera
Lay eggs
in cluster
on the
under
surface of
leaves
In the
soil
Caterpill
ars feed
on
growing
point
gregriou
sly scrap
the leaf
surface.
Spraying
NSKE
5%.

8. 6.gram
pod
borer
Helicover
pa
armigera
Noctuida
e
Lepidopt
era
Lay eggs
singly on
tender
part .
In the
soil,
Caterpill
ar feed
on the
tender
foliage .
Use of
pheromo
ne trap
7.aphid Aphis
craccivora
Aphidid
ae
Hemipte
ra
Reprodu
ce
partheno
genetical
ly.
_ Both
nymph
and
adult
suck cell
sap.
Spraying
with 0.02
methyl
demeton

9. 8.Stem
fly
Ophiomyi
a phaseoli
agromyz
idae
Diptera fly lay
eggs on
uppersid
e of
leaves.
Inside
the stem
.
Maggot
causing
swollen
petioles.
maggot
feed
inside
stem,
Collect
and
destroy
infested
plants.

10. 1.Cutworm (Argotis ipsilon:) :
Mark and identification :
Antennae in male bipectinated. Forewings brown, reddish-tinged, mixed with pale
greyish-ochreous, costa and sometimes median area suffused with dark fuscous ; first
and second lines edged with dark fuscous ; spots outlined with black, reniform
followed by a short black dash ; subterminal line obscure, usually preceded in middle
by two fine black marks. Hindwings whitish-grey or whitish, terminally suffused
with fuscous.Larva ochreous brownish or bronzy-grey, sides sometimes greenish ;
dorsal, subdorsal, and spiracular lines faintly darker or lighter .
Geographic range :
Populations of this species have been found in southern Canada, 48 of the
United States (and additionally Hawaii, Mexico , Central and South
America, Australia,New Zealand, the Pacific Rim, North Africa , Europe, and
Asia.z However, they are absent from some tropical regions and colder areas
and are more widespread in the Northern than Southern Hemisphere.
This species is also known to migrate north in the spring and migrate south
in the fall.

11. Life history :
Life cycle :
In a given year, the number of generations differs based on location and weather
conditions. In Canada, there are 1 or 2 generations, while in the United States, there are 2
to 4 per year. This species is abundant in warmer temperatures (such as Arkansas, US)
during the late spring in May–June and early fall in September and October, while they
are more abundant in cooler temperature (such as New York, US) during the summer in
June and July. One life cycle lasts between 35–60 days.

12. MANAGEMENT :
Chemical control:
1)chlorpyrifos (granules 5%) 30 kg/ha; 2) carbaryl (DP 85%) 3 kg/
ha;. 3) monocrotophos (SL 40%) 2 L/ha; 4) thiodicarb .
Cultural control :
Control weeds in and around fields prior to planting to
reduce potential cutworm infestations.
Be aware of cutworm movement from sprayed weedy
fallow into neighbouring crops,.

13. 2.Armyworm : (Mythimna seperata)
Egg :
Eggs are spherical and creamy in colour, which are laid in a group covered over with grey hairs.
Larva :
The caterpillars are light green with yellowish white lateral and dorsal stripes in the early stage and later become
dark brown or grayish green in colour with a crescent (Semi-circular) shaped black spot on the side of each
segment.
Pupa :
They pupate inside the soil in earthen cocoons. Pupa is dark brown and measures 16-17mm long.
Adult :
The adult moth is medium sized, stout built dark brown with a conspicuous triangular black spot

14. LIFE CYCLE OF ARMY WORM

15. MANAGEMENT OF ARMYWORM
1.Scouting. :
Scouting pastures and hayfields can help detect fall armyworm infestations before they
cause economic damage. The best places to start looking for fall armyworms are in
your most valuable hayfields as well as in areas of fields that have been attacked by fall
armyworms in previous years. The best way to detect fall armyworms is to use an
insect net to sweep the forage grass. A sweep net picks up larvae that are too small to
find in any other way . Sweep the grass in early morning or late afternoon to check for
the presence of young armyworms. If you find fall armyworms using the sweep net,
the next step is to count how many caterpillars you have per square foot. Look on the
grass itself as well as in the leaf litter (thatch) on top of the soil. If you find more than
two to three caterpillars per square foot, it is probably time to apply an insecticide or to
cut the field for hay.
2.Treatment Threshold. :
The decision to treat for fall armyworms depends on the stage of the armyworms and
the intended use of the forage. A population of 2 to 3 or more fall armyworms per
square foot is a reasonable treatment threshold. As with other pests, timing is
important. If infestations are detected too late, the damage may already have been done.
If necessary, treat with insecticides at the right time. Small fall armyworms are much
easier to kill than larger ones. Some products will not control large larvae at all. If you
check an area properly, you can determine the extent of an infestation and spot-treat.

16. Insecticide, Trade
Name, and MoA
Group
Rate1 Applications Per
Cutting of Hay2
Minimum Days from
Last Application to
Harvest (h) or Grazing
(g)
Comments, Signal
Word, Use Restrictions3
beta-cyfluthrin
BAYTHROID XL MoA
Group 3A4
0.02–0.022 lb. ai/A 2.6–
2.8 fl. oz./A
1 every 5 days,
maximum of 4 per
cutting
0
For first and second
instar armyworms.
Warning, RESTRICTED
USE
carbaryl5
SEVIN XLR
Plus MoA Group 1A
1–1.5 lb. ai/A 1–1.5 qt./A 2-3 14 Caution
chlorantraniliprole5
PR
EVATHON MoA Group
28
0.047–0.067 lb. ai/A 14–
20 fl. oz./A
1 every 7 days,
maximum of 4
0
Larvae become
paralyzed soon after
eating the foliage then
die in 1 to 3 days.
3.CHEMICAL CONTROL

17. 3.TOBACCO CATERPILLAR
MARK AND IDENTIFICATION :
There are slight but obvious differences in morphology between males and females of S.
litura that allow for the easy differentiation of the two sexes. Male forewing length is 14–
17 mm while female forewing length is slightly larger and measures 15–18 mm. The
orbicular spot on the forewing is also more pronounced in the males.[
DISTRUBUTION :
S. litura is the most common in South Asia However, its natural range extends from the
Oriental and Australasian areas to parts of the Palearctic region as well. The countries
with the most widespread population of S. litura include but are not limited to China,
Indonesia, India, Japan, and Malaysia. The range of S. litura has also extended into non-
indigenous regions through international trade. Moths in their egg, larvae, or pupae
stages can be present in the soil, flower, or vegetation that are being transported across
various regions. Pupae especially can be moved long distances, provided that they are
not crushed, because of the relatively long pupation period.
Habitat :
S. litura is a general herbivore and takes residence on various plants. The lower and upper limits of
habitable temperatures are 10 °C and 37 °C, respectively. Therefore, it is well suited for tropical and
temperate climate regions. As caterpillars, S. litura can only move short distances. However, adult
moths can fly up to a distance of 1.5 km for a total duration of 4 hours. This helps disperse the
moths into new habitats and onto different host plants as food sources are depleted.

18. Life cycle :
Although the length of a life cycle varies slightly throughout the different regions, a
typical S. litura will complete 12 generations every year. Each generation lasts about a
month, but temperature causes slight variations: life cycles in the winter tend to be
slightly more than one month, and life cycles in the summer tend to be less than a full
month.

19. MANAGEMENT OF TOBACCO CATERPILLAR :
Management:
 Plough the soil to expose and kill the pupae.
 Flood the field to drive out the hibernating larvae.
 Set up light trap @1/ha.
 Pheromone traps (Pherodin SL) @ 15/ ha to attract
male moths.
 Collect and destroy egg masses in castor and tomato.
 Hand pick grown up larvae and kill them.
 Spray S NPV @ 1.5X1012 POBs/ha + 2.5 Kg crude
sugar + 0.1 % teepol.

20. 4.LEAF MINER
Leaf miner
(Liriomyza spp.)
Exotic to Australia; L sativae restricted to Torres Strait
Life form: Insect
Origin: South America
Distribution: North, Central America and Caribbean, South America,
Africa, Asia, Oceania and Australia (Torres Strait)
Features: Larva to 3 mm long, transparent to yellow in later stages,
adult to 2.3 mm long, greyish and yellowish, pale orange to brown
Likely pathway of entry: Larva (in leaves): nursery stock, cut flowers
and plant trade. Pupa (in soil): on vehicles or camping equipment.
Natural dispersal can occur in some species from PNG
to Torres Strait.
At risk: Wide variety of ornamental, grain and vegetable crops

21. LIFE CYCLE OF LEAF MINER

22.  Monitor plant leaves closely. At the first sign of tunneling, squeeze the leaf at the
tunnel between two fingers to crush any larvae. Done soon enough, this killing larvae
can allow plants to survive minor outbreaks. Pick off and destroy badly infested
leaves in small gardens.
 The more healthy the plant, the less chance that leafminers will hurt it. Maintain
plant health with organic fertilizers and proper watering to allow plants to outgrow
and tolerate pest damage. Keep your soil alive by using compost and other soil
amendments.
 Use floating row covers (Harvest-Guard) to prevent fly stage from laying eggs on
leaves.
 The parasitic wasp Diglyphus isaea is a commercially available beneficial insect that
will kill leafminer larva in the mine. The wasp is especially beneficial to indoor
growers of ornamentals and vegetables.
 Use yellow or blue sticky traps to catch egg laying adults. Cover soil under infested
plants with plastic mulches to prevent larvae from reaching the ground and
pupating.
 Safer® BioNeem contains azadirachtin, the key insecticidal ingredient found in neem
oil. This concentrated spray disrupts growth and development of pest insects and has
repellent and antifeedant properties. Best of all, it’s non-toxic to honey bees and many
other beneficial insects.
 Fast-acting botanical insecticides should be used as a last resort. Derived from plants
which have insecticidal properties, these natural pesticides have fewer harmful side
effects than synthetic chemicals and break down more quickly in the environment.
MANAGEMENT

23. 5.Hairy caterpillar
Symptoms of damage
These hairy caterpillars scrap the under surface of the leaf when they are in neonate
stage.
Later the scrapped patches of the leaves looks like thin papery
Full grown larvae devour the entire foliage, flowers and growing points
Identification of the pest
Larvae- hairy caterpillar reddish brown with black band on either end having long
reddish brown hairs all over the body.
Adult: - moth with white wings

24. Life cycle of hairy
caterpillar:

25. Management
 Collection and destruction of egg masses and hand picking of larva
 Erection of light traps soon after the monsoon for 20-45 days and collecting and
killing of adult moths are found to be very effective.
 The dispersing larvae of hairy caterpillar from one field to another can be checked by
digging trenches across the direction of their march, and prompt destruction of
larvae.
 Vegetative traps utilizing Jatropha (wild castor) or Ipomea prevent the migration of
the grown up larvae.
 Prepare small balls with10 kg rice bran + 1 kg jaggery +1 liter quinolphos broad-cost
in the fields preferably in the evening times.
 Dusting of carbaryl or quinolphos @ 25-30 kg/ha would be effective in the control of
young larvae.
 Use of 200 ml dichlorovos 100 EC dissolved in 400 litres of water/ha may be used to
control grown up caterpillars. Or
 Spray QuinalPhos or dimethoate 2ml or monocrotophos 2 ml /lit of water.

26. 6.GRAM POD BORER
Identification of the pest
 Eggs – are spherical in shape and creamy white in colour, laid
singly
 Pupa – brown in colour, occurs in soil, leaf, pod and crop debris
 Adult - light pale brownish yellow stout moth.
 Forewing grey to pale brown with V shaped speck.
 Hind wings are pale smoky white with a broad blackish outer
margin.
Symptoms of damage
 Skeletinization of leaves – feeding chlorophyll only leaving
veins by young larvae Defoliation
 Feeds flower and green pods
 In green pods – make circular holes and feed the grains and
make empty.

28. LIFE CYCLE OF GRAM POD BORER

29. Management
ETL: 2 early instar larvae/plant 5-8 eggs/plant
Pheromone traps for Helicoverpa armigera 12/ha
Bird perches 50/ha
Hand picking of grown up larvae and blister beetles
Ha NPV 1.5 x1012 POB/ha with teepol (1 ml/lit.)
Apply any one of the following (Spray fluid 625 ml/ha)
Dichlorvos 76 WSC 625 ml/ha
Neem seed kernel extract 5% (31.0 kg/ha) twice followed by
Triazophos 40 EC 780 ml/ha
Neem oil 12.5 lit./ha
Phosalone 35 EC 1.25 lit./ha
(Note : Insecticide / Ha NPV spray should be made when the larvae were upto third
instar)

30. 7.APHID
MARK AND IDENTIFICATION
Aphis craccivora is a small species of aphid. The female has a glossy black or
dark brown body with a prominent cauda (tail-like protrusion), and legs in
some shade of brown or yellow. The antennae have six segments and these and
the limb segments, cauda and cornicles are pale proximally (close to the body)
and dark distally (further from the body). The adults do not have wax on their
dorsal surface but the nymphs are lightly dusted with wax. Winged females are
up to 2.2 mm (0.1 in) long and have cross-barring on the abdomen. Wingless
females are a little smaller.
Distribution
Aphis craccivora is believed to be Palearctic in origin but has expanded its range
so that now it is near cosmopolitan In recent years its range has extended
further north in Siberia and Canada and further south in Chile and Argentina.
It is abundant in the Mediterranean area and subtropics and in the tropics it is
one of the most common aphid species.

31. Life cycle of aphid

32. Neem oil, insecticidal soaps, and
horticultural oils are effective
against aphids. Be sure to follow the
application instructions provided on the
packaging. You can often get rid
of aphids by wiping or spraying the leaves
of the plant with a mild solution of water
and a few drops of dish soap.
MANAGEMENT

33. 8.STEMFLY
Geographical distribution:
A tropical and subtropical species that occurs in Australia, Africa, Asia and the
Middle East.
Morphology:
Adults about 2 mm in length with a black body and large red eyes,
The maggot is white, about 3-4 mm long,
Host plants:
Various legumes, especially beans and peas.
Life history:
These flies lay an average of 100-200 eggs/female on the host leaves, whereon
the young maggots feed. Later they enter the midrib, move into the stem and
mine down to soil level, into the taproot The feeding causes stems to form
lesions wherein the maggots pupate sometimes in small groups. Pest fecundity
and longevity vary according to the specific host plant. The adult flies feed on
plant secretions and on sap exuding from feeding holes. In the Middle East the
pest completes several annual generations

34. Stem fly
Life cycle of stem fly

35. Management:
Monitoring: Seedlings are to be examined for pest symptoms, such as oviposition marks
on the leaves, and for the small and shiny black flies with clear wings. The presence of
swollen and cracked stems at the plant base also indicates pest infestation.
Horticultural methods: Destruction of crop residues with symptoms of damage and
removal of any wild legumes around the crop area. Covering the seedlings with straw to
protect them against oviposition by the pest. Crop rotation using crops like maize or
leek, (Allium porum L.), which are unattractive to the fly and may even repel. It.
Plant tolerance : Pest-tolerant varieties of bean and other legumes have been bred and
are available at AVRDC (the Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center , now
known as the World Vegetable Center). Such tolerance is associated with high trichome
density on leaves and stems, purplish and smaller diameter stems, and smaller
unifoliate leaves.
Chemical control: Sprays of Neem or a neonicotinoid control the pest.
Biological control : Several parasitoids attack the fly in different parts of the world
where it infests various hosts. The more common enemy is the braconid Opius
phaseoli Fischer, which may cause almost 90% pest mortality in some regions. Species
of Sphegigaster spp. (Pteromalidae ) may bring about 45% fly mortality.

36. 2.Pest of maize and sorghum
Stem borer
Shoot fly

37. Commo
n name
Scientif
ic name
family Order Oviposi
tion
Pupatio
n
Nature
of
damage
Manage
ment
1.Stem
borer
Chilo
partell
us
pyrallida
e
Lepidopt
era
Eggs laid
on leaves
in cluster
.
In the
stem .
Larvae
intially
feed on
tender
leaves .
Preventi
ve and
curative
method .
2.
Shoot
fly
Anther
igona
socchat
a
Anthom
yidae
Diptera Lay
leaves
eggs
singly on
lower
surface
of leaves.
In the
stem .
Maggot
bore in
to
central
shoot of
seedling
and kill
the
Removal
and
destructi
on of
affected
shoot .

38. Introduction
Maize stem borer is a common pest in many African countries throughout
sub saharan african. Therefore it is also known as African stem borer.
Morphology
Eggs- are round flattened and about 1mm in diameter. Laid in batches of 30
to 100 under leaf sheaths in a long column. White in color when laid but
darken with passage of time.
1.Stem Borer
Cater pillar
They light or dark violet to pinkish white in color.
They lack hair and look smooth & shiny hatching cater pillar are blackish.
Pupae- are shiny yellow brown to dark brown and about 25mm long.
Adult- have a wingspan of about 25- 30mm. Females are generally larger
males. The forewings are light dark brown and the hind wings are white to
grayish color.

39.  Adult months lays eggs in a row b/w the stem and leafs sheath.
 The youngest unfolded leaf beings the most attractive part of the leaves for females.
 The eggs batch in 3-5 days and larvae move into the leafs whorls to feed.
 When older (3rd instar) they tunnel into the stem where they feed for 3-5 weeks
before pupation within the tunnels.
 The adult month will emerge after pupal period of 7-14 days from a hole that they
have produced before pupation.
 Adult mates soon after emergence under favorable condition the life cycle can be
completed in 7-8 weeks but during dry and low cold weather the larvae can enter a
period of suspended development (diapuse) of 6 months.
Life Cycle

40. Damage
Damage- is caused by the caterpillars which first
feed on young leaves but then later enter into the
stems during first instar larvae feed in the young
terminal leaf producing characteristics patterns of
small holes.
“window panes” when tissue have been eaten away
later they eat growing points which may be killed so
that it causes dead heart.
 Older larvae tunnel extensively in stems tunneling
weakens the stem so that it breaks and falls over.

41. Management
 Cultural Practices:
• Monitoring
• Filed sanitation
• Maintaining soil fertility
• Maize-legumen rotation
 Biological Control
• Many natural enemies of the African maize stalk borer have been reported
two of the most abundant natural enemies or the larval parasitoids cotesia
sesamiac and bracon sesamiac.
 Chemical Control
• Simple neem products are reported to be effective for control of stem borers.
Neem products (power from grand neem seeds) are reportedly effective and
may be applied to the leaf whorl in a 1:1 mixture with dry clay or sawdust.
Pesticides are poison so it is essential to follow all safety precautions.

42. Scientific name: Atherigona socchata
Description
Shoot fly has emerged as an important and regular pest of wheat crop since
the adoption of semi-dwarf varieties. The fly is about 3 mm in body length
and dark gray in colour. Their prevalence has been reported from Rajsthan,
Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana. Infestation
can occur during all crop growth stages but damage to young seedling and
tiller is most important.
2.SHOOT FLY

43. Identification of the pest
Egg - white, cylindrical, distal somewhat flattened
Adult - Whitish grey fly
Symptom of damage
The maggot bores inside the stem and cuts the growing point.
Central shoots dried and produce “dead heart” symptom.
The infested plant produces side tillers.

44. Life Cycle
 The larval period lasts for 6-12 days.
 Pupation takes place in the base of the dead shoot, but
sometimes in the soil, and the period takes about 7 days, after
which adults emerge.
 Each female fly is capable of laying 30 eggs during
its life time.
 Life cycle is completed within 17-20 days.

45. Management
 ETL: 1 egg/plant in 10% of plants in the first two weeks of sowing or 10%
dead hearts take up early sowing of sorghum immediately after the
receipt of South West or North East monsoon to minimise the shoot fly
incidence.
 Use seeds pelleted with insecticides.
 Seed treatment with imidacloprid 70 WS @ 10 g/kg of seeds.
 In case of direct seeding, use increased seed rate upto 12.5 kg/per hectare
and remove the shoot fly damaged seedlings at the time of thinning or
raise nursery and transplant only healthy seedlings.
 Plough soon after harvest, remove and destroy the stubbles.
 Set up the TNAU low cost fish meal trap @ 12/ha till the crop is
30 days old.
 Spray one of the following for an area of 120 m2 nursery :
 Methyl demeton 25 EC 12 ml/ha
 Dimethoate 30 EC 12 ml/ha

46. 3.Pest 0f pastures
Grasshopper

47. Commo
n name
Scientifi
c name
family Order Oviposit
ion
Pupatio
n
Nature
of
damage
Manage
ment
1.grass
hoppe
r
Crotogon
us spp
Acridida
e
Hemipte
ra
_ _ Nymph
suck the
cell sap
.and
adult
grasp the
foliage.
They
should
be
manage
by
different
mechani
cal and
biologica
l method
.

48. 1.GRASSHOPPER
Grasshoppers are a group of insects belonging to the suborder
Caelifera They are among what is probably the most ancient
living group of chewing herbivorous insects, dating back to
the early Triassic around 250 million years ago.
Grasshoppers are typically ground-dwelling insects with
powerful hind legs which allow them to escape from threats by
leaping vigorously. As hemimetabolous insects, they do not
undergo complete metamorphosis they hatch from an egg into
a nymph or "hopper" which undergoes five moults becoming
more similar to the adult insect at each developmental stage. At
high population densities and under certain environmental
conditions, some grasshopper species can change color and
behavior and form swarms. Under these circumstances, they are
known as locusts

49. MARK AND IDENTIFICATION
Grasshoppers are readily distinguished from most other insects. Their hind
legs, with greatly enlarged femurs, are well adapted for jumping. Their
body is robust, and their antennae are relatively short. In contrast, two other
common garden pests in the order Orthoptera, crickets and katydids, have
long antennae. Most grasshoppers are winged and many are good flyers,
although a few species are flightless.
DAMAGE
Most grasshoppers are general feeders, but they prefer young green plants,
especially lettuce, beans, corn, carrots, onions, and some annual flowers.
Squash and tomatoes are among the vegetables grasshoppers least favor.
Grasshoppers have chewing mouthparts that remove large sections of
leaves and flowers, sometimes devouring entire plants. Garden damage is
usually limited to a few weeks in early summer immediately after range
weeds dry up. However, during major outbreaks grasshoppers will feed on
almost any green plant, and damage may occur over a considerably longer
period.

50. Life cycle

51. MANAGEMENT
Grasshoppers are among the most difficult insect pests to manage in the
garden. When numbers are low, they can be handpicked and squashed.
Cones, screened boxes, floating row covers, and other protective covers
provide some protection if the number of pests isn't high. However, if they
are hungry enough, grasshoppers will eat through cloth or plastic row covers,
so try using metal window screening. Poultry, including chickens and guinea
hens, are excellent predators but can also cause damage to some garden
plants.
Once grasshoppers have invaded the garden, insecticides won't be very
effective and must be reapplied every few days as long as the invasion
continues; read the product label to determine the allowable frequency of
applications. Carbaryl and other insecticides such as cyfluthrin or other
pyrethroids commonly used as sprays for grasshopper control are very toxic
to bees, natural enemies of grasshoppers, and aquatic life, although carbaryl
in bait form is less hazardous to bees. Reserve the use of insecticides for
serious situations where they may provide a significant level of control,
ideally as baits around the edge of the garden before grasshoppers invade.

52. END