As for grasshoppers, high numbers are being reported in Athens and Canton, while fewer numbers are found in the more eastern counties closer to Arkansas and Louisiana because of soil types. Henderson County has tighter, heavier soils, while more eastern counties have sandy loam soils. Nymphs resemble the adult form but are smaller and lack fully developed wings. Adult fall armyworms a threat to cattle pastures, fruit trees and lawns have been sighted in tremendous numbers in the Corpus Christi area and are already showing up north of there. Farmers might consider harvesting hay crops a little earlier, in late July if possible.
Less forage means less food for invading fall armyworms and one less chemical treatment.
Spider mites, which threaten vegetable crops, are being reported early this year. Grain mites as their name implies are particularly troublesome because they attack stored grain. Robinson knows of one feed dealer who had nearly his entire stock destroyed by grain mites. Mite numbers are up probably because many were able to survive the warm winter. Robinson also warned cattle producers to be on the watch for horn fly numbers to remain high.