Grasshoppers are common garden pests that feed on a wide variety of plants, including tomatoes. They are polyphagous herbivores, meaning they consume many different plant types, making them a threat to tomato crops. Populations often surge during warm, dry seasons, increasing pressure on gardens as other food sources become scarce. If left unmanaged, these insects can cause significant defoliation and reduce the overall yield of tomato plants.
Which Parts of the Tomato Plant Do Grasshoppers Target?
Grasshoppers are opportunistic feeders that consume almost any part of the tomato plant, though they have preferences. They target tender, younger foliage and new growth, which are easier to chew. When populations are high, they readily move on to tougher parts of the plant.
Defoliation is a common result of grasshopper feeding, as they chew through the leaves, hindering the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. They also target reproductive structures, such as flowers, which can prevent fruit from setting entirely. Young, green tomatoes are susceptible to damage, with grasshoppers gnawing holes into the developing fruit.
How to Identify Grasshopper Damage
Identifying grasshopper damage involves looking for specific patterns on the foliage. Grasshoppers use their chewing mouthparts to create irregular, ragged holes in the leaves, often starting at the edges. Unlike the neat, semi-circular holes left by other pests, grasshopper damage typically appears torn or uneven.
In cases of severe infestation, the pests may skeletonize the foliage, leaving behind only the tough leaf veins. Evidence also includes small, dark fecal pellets, known as frass, found near the feeding sites. Grasshoppers are active during the warmer parts of the day, making them easy to spot directly on the plants. When disturbed, they quickly jump or fly away, distinguishing them from slower-moving pests like caterpillars or slugs.
Managing Grasshopper Infestations
Managing grasshopper populations requires a combination of physical controls, encouraging natural enemies, and targeted organic treatments. For small garden plots, hand-picking the insects from the plants is an effective, non-chemical method. Tilling the soil in late fall or early spring is a proactive strategy, as it exposes the overwintering egg pods to the elements and predators, thereby disrupting the life cycle.
Physical barriers like floating row covers can also protect plants, though grasshoppers can sometimes chew through standard cloth materials. To prevent large-scale damage, encourage natural predators in the garden ecosystem. Birds, ground beetles, and parasitic wasps all prey on grasshoppers or their eggs, and attracting these beneficial organisms helps keep populations regulated.
Organic chemical controls offer a targeted approach for moderate to heavy infestations. Neem oil and insecticidal soaps require direct contact with the grasshopper to be effective, as they do not work as a residual poison on the plant surface. Bait products containing carbaryl are an option and are preferred over broad-spectrum sprays because they target the grasshoppers specifically, reducing the impact on beneficial insects. These baits are typically made of bran laced with an insecticide and are scattered around the garden where grasshoppers will consume them.