As of July 12, 2020, the grasshopper model estimates that development across the prairies ranges from 1st instar stage to adults. Based on the model simulations, development has been slowest in the Peace River region where average nymph development ranges between the 2nd and 3rd instars (Fig. 1; Table 1). Across the southern prairies, the majority of the nymph population is predicted to be in the 3rd to 5th instar stages, with adults predicted to occur across southern Manitoba where populations are active (Fig. 1; Table 1). Across the prairies, populations are predicted to be 6, 6, 11, 27, 24, 21 and 5% in egg, first, second, third, fourth, fifth and adult stages, respectively.
Table 1 indicates that predicted development at Brandon and Winnipeg is well ahead of Lacombe and Grande Prairie. The two graphs compare grasshopper development in Saskatoon (Fig. 2) and Winnipeg (Fig. 3). Grasshopper populations near Saskatoon are predominantly in the 4th and 5th instars with first appearance of adults beginning to occur (Fig. 2). Populations near Winnipeg are expected to be primarily adults (Fig. 3).
Biological and monitoring information related to grasshoppers in field crops is posted by Manitoba Agriculture, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, the BC Ministry of Agriculture and the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network. Also refer to the grasshopper pages within the “Field Crop and Forage Pests and their Natural Enemies in Western Canada: Identification and management field guide” (Philip et al. 2018) as an English-enhanced or French-enhanced version.