DAMAGE CAUSED BY GRASSHOPPERS AND BUSH-CRICKETS TO AGRICULTURAL CROPS IN HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

 Grasshoppers and bush-crickets (order Orthoptera) are considered polyphagous pests that have caused increasingly significant damage to agricultural crops in the Herzegovina region over the last decade, particularly during summer months characterized by drought and water scarcity. Damage is caused by both nymphs and adults, although injuries caused by adults are generally more severe. Symptoms manifest as feeding damage on leaves, fruits, and other plant organs, affecting a wide range of crops, including vegetables, fruit crops, grapevine, maize, tobacco, and ornamental plants. The research was conducted during the summer months of 2023 and 2024 in the areas of Mostar, Čitluk, Ljubuški, and Čapljina, where 100 plants or fruits per crop were randomly inspected to determine the presence of damage. A total of ten species were identified, among which bush-crickets were dominant in abundance, particularly Tettigonia viridissima, Decticus albifrons, and Ephippiger ephippiger. The results indicate that these pests cause significant economic damage in certain localities, with the most severe damage recorded at the Potpolje locality (Čitluk), especially on vegetables, grapevine, and fruit crops. It was determined that bush-crickets cause greater damage than grasshoppers, with the great green bush-cricket (T. viridissima) identified as the most harmful species.