Swarms & Infestations
When Mormon crickets take over Nevada roads
During outbreaks, enormous numbers of Mormon crickets can cover roads, yards, and agricultural areas, sometimes creating a genuine driving hazard.
Video: KTVN 2 News Nevada. Embedded from the original YouTube source.
A Mormon cricket outbreak can make a highway look as if it is moving. The insects travel across roads and developed areas in dense bands that are difficult for drivers to avoid.
Nevada agriculture officials have specifically warned that large infestations can create unsafe road conditions in addition to damaging crops.
What to know
- Mormon crickets are flightless katydids, not true crickets.
- Large numbers can create slick or obstructed road conditions.
- Outbreaks can also damage crops and rangeland vegetation.
Good questions
What people usually want to know
Why do Mormon crickets cover roads?
During population outbreaks, large groups move across the landscape together, and roads can cut directly across those movement paths.
Are Mormon crickets dangerous?
They are not known for transmitting disease, but dense outbreaks can create driving hazards and agricultural damage.