• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
With the start of the toad grasshopper hatching season in Patagonia, the National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (SENASA) recommends intensifying pest monitoring, in order to detect it early.
The first hatchings occur towards the end of winter and beginning of spring. Therefore, it is essential to pay special attention to sites where egg-laying or the presence of grasshoppers were recorded in previous seasons, as well as to carry out periodic surveys to identify the first outbreaks.
Early detection allows for timely control, especially during the first stages of development, when insects are most vulnerable. For pest control, products authorized by SENASA must be used.
Prevention and management of the toad grasshopper require the coordinated participation of the different actors working in the territory.
In this framework, the Inter-institutional Table for the Management of Toad Grasshoppers in Argentine Patagonia (MTP) constitutes a space for articulation and information exchange to strengthen monitoring, early detection, and prevention and control actions.
The Table is coordinated by SENASA and is made up of public bodies, scientific institutions, provincial governments, entities, and representatives of the productive sector, among other actors linked to the problem.
Joint work allows for sharing information on the pest situation, strengthening monitoring capabilities, validating technologies, generating alerts, and coordinating actions for early intervention. In this way, articulation between institutions and the participation of producers and communities contribute to strengthening the prevention strategy throughout the region.
In this sense, SENASA, together with other institutions that are part of the Table, prepared the "Guide of recommendations for the monitoring and control of the toad grasshopper", which provides tools for the detection, monitoring, and preventive management of the pest.
The toad grasshopper (Bufonacris claraziana) is a native herbivorous insect of Argentine Patagonia, present mainly in Río Negro, Chubut, and Santa Cruz. It has no wings and moves by walking or jumping.
Although it does not pose a danger to people, when it reaches high densities it can cause damage to natural grasslands, pastures, and crops, affecting the forage resources available for livestock production.
Eggs remain in the soil during the cold months and nymphs begin to emerge towards the end of winter.
The species has one annual generation and its cycle extends during the following months.
Upon detection or suspicion of the presence of toad grasshopper, it is important to notify SENASA: acridios@senasa.gob.ar | 11-5700-5704
