In Addition to Drought, Farmers Face Mormon Cricket Infestation

As if the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing drought weren't bad enough, area farmers and ranchers have also been faced with swarms of Mormon Crickets this summer.

The United States Department of Agriculture in Octobrer 2020 forecast the presence of the pest in heavy numbers throughout Valley County.

Outside eastern Oregon, portions of eastern Montana were forecast to have the highest proliferation of the bugs, 15 or more per square yard.

There appears to be no data at present to indicate the exact number of crickets in Valley County this year, or the amount of any monetary damage to crops.

Still, residents have seen the insects lurking throughout the area, posting up near entrances to businesses and residences.

A survey by the USDA in 2020 found no large presence of the Mormon Cricket in Montana.

Their prevalence this year may be a result of drought, with experts noting eggs seem to hatch in warmer temperatures in low moisture soils.

Mormon crickets are flightless, grounddwelling insects native to the western United States, according to the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.

Nevada has experienced giant swarms of the Mormon Cricket this year.

The insects eat native, herbaceous perennials, grasses, shrubs, and cultivated forage crops, reducing feed for grazing wildlife and livestock, according to Nevada Coop. Extension.

In large numbers, their feeding can contribute to soil erosion, poor water quality, nutrient depleted soils, and potentially cause damage to range and cropland ecosystems.

Drought encourages Mormon cricket outbreaks, which may last from 5 to 21 year, and cause substantial economic losses to rangeland, cropland, and home gardens.

This is particularly true as adults and nymphs of Mormon crickets migrate in a band, eating plants along their path.

No other information was available before press time this week.