Grasshoppers are common garden and field insects classified as generalist herbivores, meaning their diet is not limited to a single plant species. They can cause significant damage to vegetation due to their expansive appetites. The question of whether grasshoppers will feed on clover is particularly relevant for gardeners and farmers who rely on this nitrogen-fixing legume.
The Grasshopper Diet
Grasshoppers are polyphagous, readily consuming many different types of plants, including clover. They feed on red and white clover, often targeting the tender young growth of these legumes. Their strong mandibles are adapted for chewing, allowing them to clip and consume leaves, stems, and even seeds from preferred sources like clover and alfalfa.
While grasses are often the most preferred food source, grasshoppers will quickly turn to broadleaf plants, like clover, especially when their populations are high or preferred grasses become scarce. Young grasshoppers, called nymphs, have weaker mouthparts and tend to seek out softer, more succulent plant parts. Older grasshoppers possess an enzyme called cellulase, which aids in the breakdown of cellulose, enabling them to digest tougher vegetation.
Identifying Damage to Clover and Other Plants
Recognizing the specific signs of grasshopper feeding helps determine the source of plant damage. Grasshoppers leave behind distinctive feeding marks on clover leaves, characterized by ragged holes and chewed, irregular edges. In cases of heavy infestation, the insects can strip the foliage entirely, leading to defoliation and stunting of the plant.
This type of damage is typically shapeless and rugged, which can help differentiate it from the clean, circular cuts left by certain other chewing insects. For example, some beetles will consume nearly an entire leaf but often leave behind the wispy leaf veins, whereas grasshoppers are more random feeders across the foliage. Widespread damage requires intervention, though a few chewed leaves may simply be a sign of healthy biodiversity.
Protecting Clover from Grasshopper Feeding
Early intervention should focus on targeting the vulnerable nymph stage before they mature into highly mobile, more destructive adults. For small patches, physical barriers like metal window screening can be effective, as grasshoppers can chew through standard cloth row covers. Manual removal can also be employed in the morning when the insects are less active and more sluggish.
Introducing natural biological controls is a targeted, low-toxicity approach to managing populations. Products containing the fungus Beauveria bassiana or the microsporidium Nosema locustae are effective, as they interrupt the grasshopper’s digestive system.
As a non-toxic deterrent, a light dusting of all-purpose flour on the leaves can gum up the grasshoppers’ mouthparts, making it difficult for them to feed, though this must be reapplied after rain or watering. For severe outbreaks, targeted low-toxicity chemical options, such as products containing azadirachtin (Neem oil) or pyrethrins, can be used to repel and disrupt their feeding and growth.