How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

Several species of grasshoppers may attack sugarbeets. Both adults and nymphs can cause damage. Injury is more likely near the foothill rangeland; however, grasshoppers can migrate great distances.

DAMAGE

Grasshoppers consume foliage, and if infestations are severe, may defoliate entire fields.

MANAGEMENT

A large contingent of natural enemies serve to hold grasshopper populations in check most years. However, in outbreak years and particularly after an invasion, other intervention will likely be needed. Because most grasshopper problems begin outside of the field, migrating invaders should be monitored closely. Apply treatment if and when a field is invaded.

Common name		Amount/Acre	P.H.I.+
(trade name)			(days)
When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating to water quality and impact on natural enemies and bees.
A.	CARBARYL
	(Sevin 5 Bait)	30 lb	28 roots/forage
	MODE OF ACTION: A carbamate (Group 1A)1 insecticide.
	COMMENTS: Repeat applications as necessary up to a total of 2 times/year but not more often than 14 days apart.
+	Preharvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest.
1	Modes of action are important in preventing the development of resistance to pesticides. Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action group number more than twice per season. For example, the organophosphates have a group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a group number other than 1B. Mode of action is assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Sugarbeet
UC ANR Publication 3469
Insects and Mites
C. G. Summers, Entomology, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
D. R. Haviland, UC IPM Program, Kern Co.
L. D. Godfrey, Entomology, UC Davis

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