Best Plants to Attract Two-Striped Grasshoppers

Two-striped grasshoppers (Melanoplus bivittatus) are common insects found throughout North America, especially in open fields, meadows, and gardens. Recognizable by the two distinct yellow stripes running down their backs, these grasshoppers play an essential role in ecosystems as both herbivores and prey for various birds and small mammals. For gardeners, farmers, or nature enthusiasts interested in observing or supporting two-striped grasshoppers, attracting them to specific plants can be highly effective.

This article explores the best plants to attract two-striped grasshoppers, discussing their biology, feeding habits, and plant preferences. Whether you want to encourage biodiversity in your garden or study these fascinating insects up close, planting the right flora is crucial.

Understanding Two-Striped Grasshoppers

Before diving into the best plants to attract two-striped grasshoppers, it helps to know a bit about their habits and ecology.

Habitat and Behavior

Two-striped grasshoppers thrive in open habitats with abundant grasses and low vegetation. They are most commonly found in prairies, agricultural lands, roadside verges, and gardens featuring grassy patches. Their life cycle spans one year, with eggs laid in late summer that overwinter in the soil before hatching in spring.

These insects are most active during warm sunny days, feeding primarily on grasses but also consuming a variety of broadleaf plants when available. They are known for their voracious appetite which can sometimes lead to crop damage in large populations.

Diet Preferences

As primarily herbivorous insects, two-striped grasshoppers prefer tender shoots and leaves. Their diet includes:

• Various native and cultivated grasses
• Legumes like clover
• Weeds such as dandelions
• Broadleaf herbaceous plants

By planting species that cater to these preferences, you can naturally attract two-striped grasshoppers to your garden or study area.

Best Plants to Attract Two-Striped Grasshoppers

Below is a detailed list of some of the best plants known to attract two-striped grasshoppers due to their nutritional value and palatability.

1. Native Grasses

Native grasses form the backbone of two-striped grasshopper diets. They provide ample food source and habitat for egg laying.

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

Big bluestem is a tall native prairie grass commonly found in the central United States. Its wide leaves provide excellent fodder for grasshoppers. It also creates suitable microhabitats where these insects can hide from predators.

Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

Little bluestem is a shorter bunchgrass favored by many grasshopper species. Its fibers are less tough than some other grasses, making it easier for young nymphs to feed on.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

Switchgrass is another perennial native grass that supports two-striped grasshoppers well. It thrives in a wide range of soil conditions and offers juicy shoots during the growing season.

2. Clover Species

Clovers are legumes that enrich soil with nitrogen and provide nutritious foliage favored by many herbivorous insects, including two-striped grasshoppers.

White Clover (Trifolium repens)

White clover is widely grown as a groundcover and forage crop. Its soft leaves are appealing food sources for grasshoppers during spring and summer months.

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)

Red clover grows taller than white clover and produces larger leaves. It has high protein content which attracts many types of grass-feeding insects.

3. Broadleaf Wildflowers

Broadleaf wildflowers add diversity to your planting scheme while offering additional food sources for two-striped grasshoppers who supplement their diet beyond grasses.

Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelions are ubiquitous flowering plants with tender leaves preferred by multiple insect herbivores. Two-striped grasshoppers frequently feed on dandelion foliage when available.

Lamb’s Quarters (Chenopodium album)

Lamb’s quarters is a fast-growing weed with soft succulent leaves rich in nutrients. Grasshoppers find these leaves easy to chew compared to tougher vegetation.

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)

Evening primrose has broad leaves that serve as excellent food resources for young and adult two-striped grasshoppers alike.

4. Forage Crops

In agricultural settings, some forage crops can act as attractants for two-striped grasshoppers due to their palatability and abundance.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Alfalfa is a high-protein legume crop widely used for livestock feed. Two-striped grasshoppers readily consume alfalfa leaves when present in pastures or fields near gardens.

Timothy Grass (Phleum pratense)

Timothy is a cool-season perennial grass common in hay production. Its softer leaf blades provide suitable nutrition for various grasshopper species including the two-striped variant.

5. Other Beneficial Plants

Adding some additional species can further enhance habitat quality for two-striped grasshoppers as well as supporting overall biodiversity.

Plantain (Plantago major)

Common plantain produces flat broad leaves with mild texture that many grasshopper species find attractive.

Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)

Though often considered a weed, ragweed offers nutritious foliage preferred by certain herbivorous insects including our target species.

Tips for Creating an Ideal Habitat for Two-Striped Grasshoppers

To successfully attract two-striped grasshoppers using plants, consider these habitat management tips:

Provide Mixed Vegetation Structure

Grasshoppers thrive in environments where there’s a mix of tall grasses interspersed with flowering herbs and legumes. This structural diversity offers food variety along with shelter from predators and harsh weather.

Avoid Pesticides

Chemical pesticides inhibit insect populations including beneficial species like two-striped grasshoppers. Use organic pest control methods or encourage natural predators where possible instead of broad-spectrum insecticides.

Allow Some Weeds to Grow

Many “weedy” plants like dandelions or lamb’s quarters support insect biodiversity by adding alternative food sources beyond cultivated crops or garden flowers.

Maintain Bare Soil Patches

Two-striped grasshopper eggs develop underground during winter months before hatching in spring. Leaving small areas of undisturbed bare soil allows them to complete their life cycle naturally.

Why Attract Two-Striped Grasshoppers?

While sometimes considered pests due to their feeding habits on crops or garden plants, two-striped grasshoppers have ecological benefits worth recognizing:

• Part of the Food Web: They serve as prey for birds (e.g., sparrows), small mammals (e.g., shrews), reptiles (e.g., lizards), and predatory insects.
• Natural Fertilization: Their droppings contribute nutrients back into the soil promoting plant health.
• Pollinator Support: Although not pollinators themselves, the presence of diverse insects including these grasshoppers often correlates with healthy ecosystems supporting pollinators.
• Educational Opportunities: Keeping these insects around provides chances to observe insect behavior and learn about insect life cycles firsthand.

Conclusion

Attracting two-striped grasshoppers involves thoughtful planting of native grasses like big bluestem and little bluestem alongside nutritious legumes such as clovers and forage crops like alfalfa. Including broadleaf wildflowers such as dandelions and lamb’s quarters increases dietary options making your garden or field more hospitable for these interesting insects.

By creating diverse habitats free from pesticides with mixed vegetation layers, you encourage not just two-striped grasshopper populations but overall biodiversity that benefits the entire ecosystem. Whether your goal is ecological balance, educational enrichment, or simply enjoying the sights of nature’s small yet vital creatures, planting with these preferences in mind will help you succeed at attracting two-striped grasshoppers naturally and sustainably.