At last count, about ten million acres in Nevada were infested with Mormon Crickets and 2024 is shaping up to be a monumental year for the species. Should you be worried? Maybe.
🤔 Mormon Crickets Aren't Actually Crickets
They’re shield-backed katydids. The insects are less than two inches long and can’t fly. They love to hang out in Western states full of sagebrush and forbs, traveling up to 50 miles in a single season.
😦 Mormon Crickets Thrive in Drought Conditions
They’re a familiar sight throughout Nevada, but for whatever reason, prefer to cause trouble in the northern half of the state. The insects have been covering roads in areas like Elko and Eureka. When crushed, they produce a foul-smelling sludge and slippery road conditions that’ve caused more than a few crashes in recent weeks.
😜 More Fun Facts
The Mormon Crickets got their name for wreaking havoc on Utah farms. The last big Nevada infestation was in 2019, although the species appears to be making a comeback in 2024. Mormon crickets are cannibalistic and tend to eat their own — after being crushed under the wheel of a car on U.S. Route 50, of course.
