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State entomologist explains Mormon cricket life cycle and spring timing
Summary
State entomologist Jeff Knight described the egg-to-adult cycle, temperature dependence of hatching and why accurate timing matters for effective control with diflubenzuron (Dimlin).
Jeff Knight outlined the basic Mormon cricket lifecycle and why timing is central to control efforts.
"The eggs are laid about an inch deep," Knight said, emphasizing that eggs are well protected in soil and that hatching typically begins when soil temperatures reach about 40°F — often late February to late March in the region. He explained nymphs molt about seven times before reaching adulthood and that adults typically start singing in late May to late June.
Knight explained that temperature and elevation affect development speed: cooler springs and higher elevations delay hatching and can create bands of mixed‑aged individuals that complicate treatment timing. He said some eggs can remain dormant for years and then hatch synchronously after drought conditions, producing multi‑year outbreaks.
