Despite having lower numbers of grasshoppers last fall, they're certainly one of the three more notorius bugs to be watching for this summer.
Applied Research Crop Specialist, Scott Chalmers, says he had recently been watching a presentation by Manitoba Ag Entomologist, Dr. John Gavloski on what bugs to watch for.
"The conditions were very good for them to lay eggs, so it was dry and very warm in September all the way up to I think the 3rd of October when we had a really solid frost to kind of shut things down," explains Chalmers. "And so, moving into this year, you know, with our dry season that we seem to be getting into here it's something to watch for, the little grasshoppers. Keep an eye on them."
Chalmers encourages farmers to keep a keen eye on grasshoppers, " and in June when they start swarming and getting a little bigger and hungrier, that's when we should be kind of watching for those."
In addition to that, flea beetles are also one to keep your eye on. " Because if they get an early start, they'll be kind of waiting for canola, for example, if it's warm."
Chalmer adds cutworm are the third notorious crop destroyers to be on the watch for this summer.
(photo credit Manitoba Agriculture)