Hungry, hungry ’ hoppers jumping in Iowa farmfields

Grasshopper activity in field crops has picked up recently, and these jumpy insects and their defoliation have caught the attention of crop scouts and agronomists across the state. Grasshoppers tend to thrive under dry conditions, and although most areas have received adequate moisture in 2024, consecutive drought years have likely led to higher than usual populations. This article discusses identification, scouting and management of grasshoppers in corn and soybeans.