Nolo Bait
Product Guide
Questions? Contact us at (888) 784-1722 or [email protected]
What is Nosema locustae?
Nosema locustae are single celled animals known as protozoans.
When applied to Nolo Bait these animals are in a resting stage known
as a spore. In this stage a protective layer has formed around the cell.
Nothing is allowed in or out of the cell. It is in this stage that they wait
to be ingested by a grasshopper. A Nosema locustae spore can persist
in the soil for years.
How exactly does Nolo Bait work?
underside of the abdomen. On each side of the abdomen there are two
depressions which run the length of the abdomen. In many species
of healthy grasshoppers the depressions will be a darker color than
the rest of the abdomen or even look like lines running the length of
the abdomen. When a grasshopper becomes infected with Nosema
locustae, often these lines will disappear and the entire abdomen will
become a “creamy” whitish or grayish color. This can be an indicator
that spore reproduction is heavy. Often, in a heavily infected individual,
the eyes will also lose their dark color and become whitish or hazy
looking.
Once the Nosema locustae spores are ingested by the grasshopper they
become activated in the grasshopper’s mid-gut. The spores germinate
or extrude a filament from the cell wall. In the process of extruding this
filament, the spores pierce the mid-gut wall of the grasshopper and in
very young grasshoppers death usually occurs very quickly. This is due
to septicemia or bacteria invading the grasshopper and causing death.
In more mature grasshoppers the spores continue to reproduce, utilizing
the fat body of the grasshopper for energy. As the Nosema locustae
population increases inside the grasshopper it becomes lethargic,
reduces its feeding and has lowered reproduction capability. In addition,
grasshoppers are quite cannibalistic and healthy grasshoppers will feed
on their slow, sickly companions. This enables the Nosema locustae to
spread throughout the population and infect other grasshoppers that
migrate into the area. Infected female grasshoppers can also pass the
infection along in the sticky substance that surrounds the egg pods.
As the newly hatching grasshoppers chew their way out of the egg pod
they also become infected and will mostly likely die before reaching the
first molt.
Infection with Nosema locustae can make death occur more quickly
to grasshoppers already carrying other common diseases . An
example of this is seen in an associated disease called Malamoeba
locustae. Malamoeba locustae occurs commonly in most grasshopper
populations. It is not usually present in large enough numbers to cause
death. Once the grasshopper ingests Nosema locustae, however,
Malamoeba locustae levels can soar - triggered by the Nosema locustae
infection. Both organisms compete for the fat body to reproduce. The
cause of death, when Malamoeba locustae is present at the same
time as Nosema locustae, can be ascertained by a dark brownishblack coloration of the abdomen and dark body fluid seeping out. The
abdomen will hang limp and readily fall apart.
How can I tell if Nolo Bait is working, what will I see?
How do I apply Nolo Bait?
Due to the nature of the disease, the effects will vary according to the
age and species of the grasshopper and the number of spores that
the grasshopper ingested. In very young, newly hatched grasshoppers
death may occur within a week.
it is very important to understand that Nolo Bait does not work rapidly.
It is a subtle disease that takes time to develop to levels that can be
readily identified. By putting out the bait at the minimum label rate of 1
lb. per acre equivalent, you are performing what is called an “inoculative”
release. This will begin the disease process in the population present at
that time; however, depending on the grasshopper population densities
and varying age groups at the time, the level of inoculation will vary.
Once grasshoppers reach the third stage of growth (3rd instar) they
have developed enough body mass to allow the spores to reproduce to
some extent.
The infected grasshoppers will become lethargic and dramatically
slow or quit feeding, but will not die. When they are disturbed they
will typically hop and upon landing fall to one side or the other. Then,
they typically crawl unsteadily a little way before hopping again. Often
they will not hop again unless forced to do so. They may crawl up a
grass stalk or seek someplace to “roost” or cling to and it is often in
this position that infected grasshoppers will remain and evidence of
cannibalism will be apparent.
Healthy grasshoppers will feed on infected grasshoppers from the
abdomen up to the thorax which is just behind the front legs. They don’t
usually eat the head or the hard “plate-like” shield behind the head which
covers the thorax. Visual examination of a grasshopper for evidence
of infection can be done by holding a live grasshopper just behind the
head along the hard plate. Turn the grasshopper over and look at the
It is important to note that the most obvious results may be seen the
season after your initial application. This is due to an overall decrease
in egg laying capability and infection of the new spring hatch. Follow-up
applications, each year grasshopper populations are on the increase,
are useful to continue this process.
For instance, if you have more than 8 grasshoppers per sq. yard (the
number considered economically damaging by the USDA) and put
out one pound to the acre one time, you will probably have serious
competition for each flake of bran out there. Quite possibly there will
be a large percentage of grasshoppers that don’t even get one flake
to themselves. In that case, there will be many that will not become
infected, until they begin consuming those around them that have
become sick enough to become attractive as a food source. Due to
grasshoppers’ extremely migratory nature and ability to move over great
distances, it is optimal to inoculate your area frequently throughout the
season. This will help to spread the infection further and aid in long
term control. Nosema locustae may not work as quickly as chemical
pesticides, but used correctly, it will have a noticeable impact on
populations in the long term.
Grasshopper cycles peak and valley approximately every 7 years. This
can vary by one to two years either way, but basically, every 7 years
or so they will reach a high or low. Winter and spring weather will
have an effect on the spring hatch as well. It is helpful to check with
the Dept. of Agriculture in your state to find out what the population
predictions are for your area on a year-by-year basis. You can then plan
your releases accordingly. If populations are in the uphill trend, it is
definitely advisable to initiate the disease process immediately and to
continue to inoculate each year until the peak has happened and the
downward cycle becomes evident. If you get started soon enough and
a large enough percentage of grasshoppers are inoculated, you may
deter severely escalating populations from ever actually taking place.
The more area treated on a consistent basis, the more long term control
you can expect to take place. Optimally, spreading bait frequently
throughout the season will be more advantageous than just once at the
label minimum application rate.
Though young grasshoppers will be killed more quickly by Nosema
locustae than adults, if you are not planning follow up treatments spring
may not be the optimal time to infect, simply because it does not offer
long term carryover. The young grasshoppers die quickly, dry up and
disappear. Healthy grasshoppers migrate in and if there are no infected
grasshoppers around for them to feed on the population will remain
unchecked.
Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply
P.O. Box 2209 • 125 Clydesdale Ct. • Grass Valley, CA 95945
(888) 784-1722 • Fax (530) 272-4794
www.GrowOrganic.com
Entire contents © 2017 Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, Inc. All rights reserved. Revised April 10, 2017.
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