A colossal swarm of grasshoppers, so massive that it appeared on weather radar systems, has wreaked havoc on the agricultural heartland of northwestern Utah. Farmers in the region, already grappling with the challenges posed by scorching heat and severe drought, are now confronted with the alarming prospect of ruined crops and a precarious future.
On the evening of June 21, the swarm, resembling a plague-like surge, was captured on radar as it moved northeast towards the Great Salt Lake before descending upon Tooele, Utah. Michael Dow, a distressed rancher, lamented the devastating impact on his alfalfa fields, stating, “Every bit of alfalfa that’s in my fields is gone.” Dow’s newly planted pasture, teeming with promising seedlings, was reduced to barren dirt within a matter of hours.
Reports of insect infestations terrorizing the region have been pouring in over the past few weeks, leaving farmers in a state of distress. Swarms of grasshoppers, voracious eaters capable of decimating vast expanses of wheat, spinach, corn, and other crops, have left farmers grappling with substantial losses. The biting behavior of the insects, although typically causing mild discomfort, has added to the distress of those affected.
Experts from the National Weather Service were able to identify the swarm on radar due to its “non-uniform” nature, distinguishing it from weather events like rain and snow. Meteorologist Alex DeSmet explained that such radar detections of grasshoppers are rare, as weather phenomena typically exhibit a more consistent shape.
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food has implemented a grasshopper and Mormon cricket suppression program to aid affected producers in combating the pests. Farmers can apply for free pesticides through a government cost-sharing program. However, the program’s effectiveness has come into question, with some farmers expressing doubts about its ability to salvage crops already in distress.
Royce Larsen, a farmer in Box Elder County, Utah, expressed concerns over the combination of scorching heat, drought, and the grasshopper influx. Larsen cast doubt on the efficacy of the pesticide spray provided by the Utah Department of Agriculture, suggesting it might not save crops at this late stage of the season. Additionally, farmers are burdened with the cost of pesticide application.
Farmers in the region may have to endure the losses and hope for better luck in the coming year, relying on the prospect of a cold winter to curb the grasshopper population by killing off their dormant eggs. The cycle of predator-prey interactions eventually restores balance, typically taking four to six years for the insect population to decline.
This devastating outbreak of grasshoppers mirrors a recent plague experienced in Nevada, where millions of Mormon crickets descended upon six counties, blanketing roads, buildings, and homes. These flightless insects, notorious for wreaking havoc on crops, lay dormant eggs in summer, hatching in spring and perpetuating their destructive cycle.
Mormon crickets have plagued farmers in the American West for over a century, periodically devastating crops such as corn, oats, wheat, rye, and barley. The recent infestation in Nevada serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by farmers battling these destructive insects.
As farmers in northwestern Utah confront the aftermath of the grasshopper onslaught, the road to recovery appears arduous. The resiliency and determination of these hardworking individuals will be tested as they strive to rebuild and overcome the formidable challenges that lie ahead.
According to the National Weather Service, the reported radar showing grasshoppers moving across Utah was actually “chaff”.
