Grasshoppers
Also known as: Various Acrididae species
Identification
Large (20-50mm) jumping insects with powerful hind legs. Multiple species; color varies. Most damaging in hot, dry years.
Damage
Chewing — voracious defoliators; swarms can strip entire gardens and fields
Best Organic Solutions (Ranked)
Solutions ranked by reliability tier — start with Tier A options.
Long-term population suppression via protozoan disease
Fungal infection — best in humid conditions
Contact kill of nymphs and small adults
Biological Controls
Birds (especially guinea fowl), parasitic flies, Nosema spore spread through cannibalism
Prevention
Apply Nosema bait early when nymphs are small. Till garden edges to destroy egg pods. Guinea fowl are voracious grasshopper predators.
Common Mistake
Waiting until grasshoppers are adults — biological controls work best on young nymphs. Adult grasshoppers are extremely difficult to control organically.