How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

Sugarbeet

Grasshoppers

Scientific name: Melanoplus spp.

(Reviewed 11/05, updated 1/10)

In this Guideline:

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	R.E.I.+	P.H.I.+
(trade name)			(hours)	(days)
The following materials are listed in the order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies and honey bees as well as the environmental impact. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read the label of the product being used.
A.	CARBARYL
	(Sevin 5 Bait)	30 lb	12	28 roots/forage
	MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
	COMMENTS: Repeat applications as necessary up to a total of 2 times/year but not more often than 14 days apart.
+	Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (P.H.I.) is the number of days from treatment to harvest. In some cases the REI exceeds the PHI. The longer of two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest.
1	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 to help prevent the development of resistance. 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 Group numbers are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For more information, see www.irac-online.org.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Sugarbeet
UC ANR Publication 3469

Insects and Mites

E.T. Natwick, UC Cooperative Extension Imperial County
Acknowledgement for contributions to Insects and Mites:
C. G. Summers, Entomology, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
D. R. Haviland, UC IPM Program, Kern County
L. D. Godfrey, Entomology, UC Davis

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