GRASSHOPPER

HOST PLANTS
Host plants and habitats:
Grasshoppers that were found
feeding on host plants were
collected from grasses,
Calotropis,cotton, tapioca, brinjal,
curry leaf, maize, rice, radish, castor
and okra.
DAMAGING SYMPTOMS
Feeding damage caused by
short-horned grasshoppers
and oriental migratory locusts
result to cut out areas on
leaves and cut-off panicles.
They both feed on leaf
margins.
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.
DAMAGING LIFESTAGES
Grasshoppers are voracious feeders,
consuming approximately one-half
of their body weight per day. Both
adults and nymphs cause damage
by chewing on the leaves and stems
of plants, and if infestations are
severe, may defoliate entire fields.
WHEN AND WHERE TO SCOUT :
For crops, we recommend scouting
for nymphs and adults both in field
margins and within the fields. For
field margins, management should
be considered when nymph
populations reach 50-75 per square
yard and adult populations reach 21-
40 per square yard.
 MANAGEMENT
TECHNIQUES
• One strategy that can be used in gardens
where migration of grasshoppers frequently
occurs is to keep an attractive green border
of tall grass or lush green plants around the
perimeter of the garden to trap insects and
divert them from vegetables or flowers.
Don't mow this trap crop or let it dry out, or
you will send the grasshoppers straight into
the garden.
 MANAGEMENT
TECHNIQUES
Dust your plants with flour:
If grasshoppers are targeting plants
in your garden, consider dusting the
leaves and stems of those plants with
all-purpose flour or kaolin clay, which
will stick to the insects' mouthparts
and render them unable to eat.
When to consider Treatment
• The best strategy in agricultural and
rangeland areas during major
migrations is to treat the grasshoppers
with an insecticide early in the season
when they are still young nymphs
living in uncultivated areas. Usually
gardeners don't have control over
these areas, so management options
are few.
SPIDER MITES
 LIFE CYCLE
• The life cycle is composed of the egg,
the larva, two nymphal stages
(protonymph and deutonymph) and
the adult. The length of time from egg
to adult varies greatly depending on
temperature. Under optimum
conditions (approximately 80ºF),
spider mites complete their
development in five to twenty days.
 HOST PLANTS
• Host plants include spruce, arborvitae,
juniper, hemlock, pine, and other
conifers. Dwarf Alberta spruce are the
preferred host, and are even known to
“have free mites with every purchase”.
Spruce spider mites prefer cooler
temperatures and are more
problematic in spring and fall.
 DAMAGING
SYMPTOMS
• Mites cause damage by sucking cell
contents from leaves. A small
number of mites usually isn’t
reason for concern, but very high
populations—levels high enough to
show visible damage to leaves—
can damage plants, especially
herbaceous ones.
At first, the damage shows up as a
stippling of light dots on the leaves;
sometimes the leaves take on a
bronze color. As feeding continues,
the leaves turn yellowish or reddish
and drop off. Often, large amounts
of webbing cover leaves, twigs, and
fruit. Damage is usually worse
when compounded by water stress.
DAMAGING LIFESTAGES
• From eggs to adult stage of
spidermites can damage the
leaves.
 WHEN and WHERE TO
SCOUT
Thorough scouting method specifically for mites:
Scout throughout the block, looking at a single
shoot from 10 to 20 trees. Choose trees with yellow
foliage as well as trees at random. Select a small
shoot (2 to 4 inches) from the lower half of the tree
and examine foliage both front and back for mites,
eggs and damage. If the tree exhibits mite damage,
choose this shoot from the damaged areas. Keep
track of the number of shoots examined and shoots
with either spider mite eggs or mites. At the same
time, also scout for rust mites. Also take note if
predatory mites or other predators are found.
MANAGING TECHNIQUES
• Apply water to pathways and other
dusty areas at regular intervals. Water-
stressed trees and plants are less
tolerant of spider mite damage. Be
sure to provide adequate irrigation.
Midseason washing of trees and vines
with water to remove dust may help
prevent serious late-season mite
infestations.
WHEN TO CONSIDER
TREATMENT

• It is important to use a spider

mite treatment as soon as
possible on an affected plant in
order to keep the plant looking
its best and healthiest.
LEAF SPOT
DISEASE
What family it appears?
• Alternaria leaf spot is caused by
the fungus Alternaria brassicae,
and the disease can cause severe
damage to leaf.
 Damage symptoms
•Initial symptoms are
small circular, dark spots
on the surface of older
leaves.
Favorable Condition of
Development
• Fungi and nematodes are able
to actively penetrate host
tissues and cells if
environmental conditions, such
as moisture and temperature,
are favorable for the
penetration process.
Management/IPM
Strategy/Prevention and
Control
• Reduce shade and improve soil
aeration and water drainage. Avoid
dry spots, overfertilizing with
nitrogen, and maintain as high a
cutting height as possible. Avoid
prolonged leaf wetness by
irrigating in pre-dawn, or early
morning hours. If possible, increase
air movement.