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Analysis of grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) population surveys in Saskatchewan: 1972–20041

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 April 2012

O. Olfert ,
D. Giffen  and
S. Hartley
O. Olfert*
Affiliation:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 0X2
D. Giffen
Affiliation:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 0X2
S. Hartley
Affiliation:
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, 133–3085 Albert Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4S 0B1
*
2Corresponding author (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Abstract

Grasshopper population forecasting and monitoring methods in western Canada have traditionally been linked to pest control decisions primarily by providing warnings of the likelihood of crop damage. Risk to crops is categorized as very light (1–4 grasshoppers/m2), light (>4–8 grasshoppers/m2), moderate (>8–12 grasshoppers/m2), severe (>12–24 grasshoppers/m2), or very severe (>24 grasshoppers/m2). A summary of grasshopper infestation by risk category indicated that in 29 of 33 years, infestations warranted ratings of severe or very severe, with the majority of these infestations occurring in the 1980s. Infestations involving the two categories severe and very severe encompassed about 84 900 and 85 600 km2 of agricultural land during the two largest infestations in 1985 and 2002, respectively. Keeping grasshopper populations below economic thresholds through preventative measures is the goal of integrated pest management. To determine when control measures are warranted, producers are asked to monitor grasshopper populations and estimate the number of grasshoppers per square metre. Economic thresholds provide guidance in making a decision as to whether control is warranted in different crops. Using economic thresholds as a guide, this study identified the eco-districts most at risk of crop damage within each of four major eco-regions of Saskatchewan. Overall, risk was highest in five eco-districts of the Mixed Grassland Eco-region. These findings provide guidance for the agriculture industry in relation to grasshopper management and for future survey programs in relation to targeting regions of the province most at risk from grasshoppers.

Résumé

Les méthodes de surveillance et de prédiction des populations de criquets dans l'Ouest canadien sont traditionnellement associées aux décisions de lutte contre les ravageurs, principalement parce qu'elles fournissent des avertissements de la probabilité de dommages aux récoltes. Le risque pour les récoltes est réparti en catégories: très léger (1–4 criquets/m2), léger (>4–8 criquets/m2), moyen (>8–12 criquets/m2), grand (>12–24 criquets/m2) et extrême (>24 criquets/m2). L'examen global des infestations de criquets par catégorie de risque montre que, dans 29 de 33 années d'infestations, la cote de risque a atteint le niveau de grand ou d'extrême; la plupart de ces infestations se sont produites dans les années 1980. Les risques d'infestation qualifiés de grands et d'extrêmes s'appliquaient à respectivement 84 900 et 85 600 km2 de terres agricoles durant les deux principales infestations de 1985 et de 2002. La lutte intégrée vise à maintenir les populations de criquets à des densités inférieures aux seuils d'importance économique à l'aide de mesures préventives. Afin de déterminer quand les mesures de lutte sont nécessaires, on demande aux producteurs de surveiller les populations de criquets et d'estimer le nombre de criquets par mètre carré. Ces seuils économiques servent de critères pour décider si les mesures de lutte sont requises pour les différentes cultures. En utilisant les seuils économiques comme critères, notre étude identifie les écodistricts les plus susceptibles de subir des dommages aux récoltes dans chacune des quatre écorégions principales de la Saskatchewan. Globalement, le risque est maximal dans cinq écodistricts de l'écorégion de la prairie mixte. Nos résultats fournissent à l'industrie agricole des indications sur la gestion des criquets et sur les programmes futurs de surveillance dans le but de cibler les régions de la province les plus exposées aux ravages des criquets.

[Traduit par la Rédaction]

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 138 , Issue 6 , December 2006 , pp. 875 - 887
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 2006

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Footnotes

1

Contribution No. 1665 of the Saskatoon Research Centre.

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