For More Information: MORMON CRICKETS | THE PROBLEM Robert Srygley, Insect Ecologist 406-433-9420 • [email protected] Identication utbreaks of the Mormon cricket (Anabrus simplex) continue to periodically threaten This brochure is intended to USDA-ARS Northern Plains Olarge parts of the western United States. Mormon cricket range help those working in the field Mormon cricket outbreaks originate on rangeland Agricultural Research Laboratory to idenfy Mormon crickets both to help predict and and can lead to the formation of huge migratory bands that move into and Agricultural Systems Research Unit damage crop systems. prevent possible outbreaks and NPARL Pest Management Research Unit to aid research efforts. ID ps Contrary to their name, Mormon crickets are not crickets, but flightless, can be found inside. (Look-a- shield-backed katydids. Although they do not fly, they are highly mobile and likes are also noted below.) capable of migrating great distances. They move in wide bands by walking or United States Department of Agriculture jumping, and may devour much of the forage and crops in their path. Agricultural Research Service The Economics Migrating bands of nymphs or adults can completely destroy fields of sugarbeets, small grains and alfalfa as well as garden vegetables. Because of their migratory habit, 1500 N. Central Ave., Sidney, Montana 59270 bands of Mormon crickets may be A massive Mormon cricket outbreak from 1998-2012 – with a major surge in present in a parcular site for no acreage infested in 2003/2004 – was one of the most severe on record and www.ars.usda.gov/pa/nparl • 406-433-2020 • fax 406-433-5038 more than three or four days. In included major infestations in 7 western states including Utah, Nevada, Idaho, this short me, their damage to Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon and Montana. rangeland is limited unless As the principal in-house research arm of the U.S. MORMON exceponal condions exist (ie Sidney ARS scientists are working to understand the mechanisms contributing Department of Agriculture, ARS conducts research to drought, sparsely vegetated to these outbreaks and how to predict them. Predictive models will help develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of areas) when they can compete producers, government agencies and other land managers reduce the cost, high national priority and provides information access and with cale for forage. manpower, and non-target effects associated with current broad chemical dissemination to: However, while rangeland is control operations to battle the insect pests. ! Ensure high quality, safe food and other agricultural CRICKET frequently unaffected by Complicating those predictive efforts, however, is a recent discovery by Sidney products migrang bands, those same ! bands of nymphs or adults may ARS scientists demonstrating that Mormon crickets may be able to “bank” Assess the nutritional needs of Americans completely destroy fields of their eggs in the soil, much like weeds routinely do with their seeds. A ! Sustain a competitive agricultural economy sugarbeets, small grains, and proportion of the insect’s eggs have been shown in the lab to remain in ! IDENTIFICATION Enhance the national resource base and the alfalfa, requiring control efforts. diapause for up to five or more years before hatching likely as a means of environment, and avoiding specialized predators. ! Provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole. Look-a-likes For more information about HELPFUL TIPS FOR SURVEYING ARS, visit the web site at Agricultural Research http://www.ars.usda.gov/ Service ANABRUS SIMPLEX The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family Jerusalem Cricket Katydid sp. Common Field Cricket Camel Cricket status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) · Mormon crickets are shield-backed katydids because of · Field crickets are usually black to brown with developed Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for their enlarged pronota (on thorax). wings and are capable of flight. Ovipositors are straight. communication of program information (Braille, large print, · Most shield-backed katydids are short winged. · Jerusalem crickets have black/white striping on audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at · 100+ shield-backed katydids are found in western North abdomen, enlarged chunky legs, DO NOT hop and NO 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). Katydid (*) enlarged pronota. America. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of U.S. Department of Agriculture · Only a few shield-backed katydids are ground dwelling · Many common katydid adults have funconing wings, Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Agricultural Research Service rangeland insects while the majority live in shrubs and are capable of flight and wings may look like leaves. Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or bushes. call 202-720-5964 (Voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. USDA-ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory · Camel crickets have a hump shaped body with NO ~ USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspecon Service enlarged pronota. (APHIS also contributed to other secons of this brochure) Jul 2020 Thanks! The following organizaons and agencies graciously provided materials for this brochure: APHIS IDENTIFYING MORMON CRICKET (ANABRUS SIMPLEX) Body Length 1st Instar = 7 mm 1st instars are typically black in 2nd Instar = 8 mm color, while other stages vary. Life Span | Growth Stages 3rd Instar = 11 mm White stripe on thorax dults and nymphs of Mormon crickets have long antennae and a smooth, shiny Aexoskeleton in a variety of colors and Adult = 38-51 mm (1.5-2 inches) color paerns. The adult female has a sperm holding sack (spermatophore) for a short me aer mang and a long ovipositor (egg layer) Body length Body length Body length with a gentle upward curve. The male cercus 1st Instar 7 mm: 2nd Instar 8 mm: 3rd Instar 11 mm: (appendage at the posterior end of the abdomen) has two large teeth (see diagram). NOTE: The 4th-7th instars shown are females. Males, like the three instars above, are similar in form but lack the ovipositor Eggs are laid singly in the summer and are dormant through winter. Mormon cricket eggs hatch and nymphs emerge in the early spring when soil temperatures reach 40°F. At higher elevaons where the soil remains cold, eggs may incubate an addional year. (See “The Problem” secon on the back of this brochure for new findings on M. cricket egg viability.) Body length Identifying Features 22 mm: Mormon crickets pass through eight growth Body length Body length · Antenna longer than body length 4th Instar 13 mm: 5th Instar 18 mm: 6th Instar stages (7 instars and adult) within 60 to 90 days depending on temperatures and other · White strip on thorax in nymphal stages environmental condions. Mormon crickets Body length molt in 10 to 20 minutes, hanging on plants in 38-51 mm (1.5 - 2 inches) the sun while their new exoskeleton dries, Tips for Finding darkens, and becomes hard. Before crawling Ovipositer away the insect eats its old, cast-off skin In cool temps In warm temps Spermataphore Male cercus, with (exoskeleton). Courng and mang begin 10 to · Look in and under sage · Look on top of sage two large teeth. 12 days aer becoming adults. brush brush Females lay an average of 86 eggs each. Although Mormon crickets feed on more than · Look under debris · Look on high points 400 species of plants, succulent forbs are Body length of rocks 30 mm: ~ WY Ag Experiment Staon Bullen 912 preferred. · Look under dry manure 7th Instar Adult Female Species Fact Sheet - Mormon Cricket ~ Univ. of Nevada Cooperave Extension · First and second instars are usually black in color. Color Variations ALL NYMPHAL STAGES HAVE WHITE STRIPE ON THORAX. · Instar 3 to adult can have various moling and color variaon. · Nymphs can have a black body with green or bronze nted legs. · Adults can be moled various coloraons or enrely one colored. · No stripes on abdomen like the Jerusalem cricket (See Look-a-likes secon). · Pronota does NOT have lateral bands or black Typical Moled Coloraon Light gray, blueish nt coloraon Green Coloraon Bronze, red coloraon Jet black coloraon stripes. (See Look-a-likes secon for “Katydid”).