The terms “cannibal” and “swarm” aren’t often used in the same sentence outside of zombie apocalypse movies. But this year, swarms of cannibal Mormon crickets have been wreaking havoc across Wyoming and the Western U.S. Edgerton and Midwest, WY were already hit earlier this year, but thankfully the insects migrated onto open federal land before they could cause any crop damage. However, there are a few other Wyoming regions that should be on the lookout for these nefarious insects as well. Here’s everything you need to know about Wyoming’s Mormon cricket outbreak this year:
The Mormon cricket is a rather large flightless insect native to western North America, with adults reaching up to three inches in length. While not a true cricket (they're actually a sub-species of katydid), they do resemble eerily supersized versions of their smaller counterparts.
Their nickname comes from the role they played during what has been called the “Miracle of the Gulls." As legend has it, in the mid-1800s when the insects were ravaging the crops planted by pioneer Mormon farmers in Utah, just as suddenly, flocks of seagulls appeared to feast on the crickets and save what remained of the crops. It's safe to say that Mormon crickets have been a regular nuisance for humans in the West for ages.
But while their size and appearance can certainly make your skin crawl, for the most part, Mormon crickets are harmless to humans. They don't bite or sting and aren't poisonous.
They do, however, cause mass destruction to crops, vegetation, and landscaping. In swarming season (mid to late summer), they can be found quite literally covering the walls of buildings and lining trunks of trees. Similar to locusts, they can even strip trees and crops of their foliage, although they prefer to feast on fruits and vegetables.
Mormon crickets are particularly known for migrating en masse and have been the cause of numerous car accidents over the decades. When squished, they create an awful stench and form a slick, gruesome mess across roadways.
You can hear the rattling, rain-like sound of their legs from miles away as they move from place to place. Frighteningly, they can also migrate up to a mile per day and will change directions without warning - making these outbreaks tough to predict and address.
But one of the most horrific sights isn't just thousands of jumbo-sized insects crossing the road. It's that these massive insects are also known to…indulge…in carnivorous activity, stopping mid-crossing to feast on their fallen brethren.
It's the sort of bloodbath that nightmares are made of.
Mormon crickets lay their eggs in dry, sandy soil. While some of these hatch in season, most can lay dormant for up to a decade until the right combination of environmental factors. The adults then make their way to the nearest food source to forage, mate, and repeat the cycle.
This year, Nevada has been hit especially hard. But Wyoming is no stranger to these carnivorous insects, and we are fortunate to have pest agencies in every county to battle the outbreaks. At this point in time, Natrona and Converse counties are on high alert, as well as a few other counties around the state.
Outbreaks like this one can last all summer and may resurge numerous times over the next few years as populations stabilize. However, Wyoming is fortunate that this year's Mormon cricket numbers are not looking to be high enough to cause significant damage. All the same, be on the lookout as you're driving, hiking, and tending your crops. These insects can come in a variety of colors but are pretty easy to recognize.
Sights like this certainly can give us the chills! Do you have any stories to share about previous Mormon cricket outbreaks in Wyoming?
Don’t let the creepy-crawlies get you down. Hop in the car to escape somewhere a little more tropical! This indoor waterpark is just the place to kick back and let your inner kid loose. Or, check out some of our favorite Wyoming road trips! In fact, we’ve even got your snack cravings covered with our ultimate road trip packing list.
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