Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook

Broccoli, Brussels sprout, cabbage, cauliflower-Grasshopper

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Various species

Pest description and crop damage Grasshoppers eat irregular holes in leaf tissue and can defoliate plants in high numbers, especially when swarming. Damage tends to be greatest on the edges of fields near pasture areas or roadsides. When wild grasses and other plants become dry, grasshoppers migrate to irrigated croplands.

Management-Biological control

  • Nosema locustae (Nolo Bait)-Use as manufacturer directs. It may be more effective applied to non-cultivated areas such as borders and pasture where grasshoppers breed. OMRI-listed for organic use.

Management-chemical control: HOME USE

Follow information on the label about the timing and cutoff date for spraying the particular vegetable you are treating. Spray damaged plants and any on label plants surrounding the vegetable garden when young hoppers or winged adults are seen.

  • azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • bifenthrin (often as a mix with zeta-cypermethrin)
  • carbaryl
  • cyfluthrin
  • esfenvalerate-Do not use on Brussels sprout.
  • gamma-cyhalothrin
  • kaolin-Applied as a spray to foliage, it acts as a repellent to some insect pests. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use. Not listed for home use in OR.
  • lambda-cyhalothrin
  • malathion
  • permethrin
  • pyrethrins-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • zeta-cypermethrin

Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE

  • alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac EC) at 0.02 to 0.025 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.075 lb ai/A per season.
  • beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid XL) at 0.019 to 0.025 lb ai/A. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.1 lb ai/A per season.
  • beta-cyfluthrin/imidacloprid (Leverage 360) at 0.07 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.1 lb ai/A beta-cyfluthrin or 0.2 lb ai/A imidacloprid per season.
  • bifenthrin/zeta-cypermethrin (Hero EW) at 0.04 to 0.1 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.45 lb/A per season. Limit 5 applications after bloom.
  • carbaryl (Sevin 5 Bait) at 2 lb ai/A as granule. PHI 3 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Toxic in aquatic habitats.
  • cyfluthrin (Tombstone) at 0.038 to 0.05 lb ai/A. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.2 lb/A per season.
  • dinotefuran (Scorpion 35SL) at 0.05 to 0.18 lb ai/A as foliar spray, at 0.23 to 0.27 lb ai/A as soil treatment. PHI 1 day for foliar; 21 days for soil. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.266 lb ai/A foliar or 0.532 lb ai/A soil per season.
  • esfenvalerate (Asana XL) at 0.03 to 0.05 lb ai/A. PHI 3 days. Do not use on Brussels sprout. Do not exceed 0.4 lb ai/A per year.
  • gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare) at 0.01 to 0.015 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Do not exceed 0.12 lb ai/A per season.
  • lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior II) at 0.02 to 0.03 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.24 lb ai/A per year.
  • lambda-cyhalothrin/thiamethoxam (Endigo ZC) at 0.064 to 0.072 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.24 lb ai of lambda-cyhalothrin or 0.172 lb ai/A of thiamethoxam per season.
  • zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang) at 0.04 to 0.05 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.3 lb ai/A per year. Retreatment interval 7 days.

Kaur, N. (Ed.). 2024 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook.
© Oregon State University.

Use pesticides safely!

  • Wear protective clothing and safety devices as recommended on the label. Bathe or shower after each use.
  • Read the pesticide label—even if you’ve used the pesticide before. Follow closely the instructions on the label (and any other directions you have).
  • Be cautious when you apply pesticides. Know your legal responsibility as a pesticide applicator. You may be liable for injury or damage resulting from pesticide use.

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