How to Identify Grasshopper Damage on Plumeria – Signs, Timing & Visual Clues

Grasshoppers are strong-jawed, daylight-active chewing insects that can cause sudden, irregular damage to plumeria leaves, flowers, and tips. While they typically don’t form large swarms in garden settings, even a few grasshoppers can leave significant damage behind—especially in young plumeria or newly rooted cuttings.

This guide will help you accurately identify grasshopper damage, understand when and where they strike, and differentiate their feeding signs from those caused by other chewing pests like caterpillars, beetles, or snails.

What Are Grasshoppers?

Grasshoppers (family Acrididae) are medium to large-sized, powerful insects that:

• Are typically green, tan, or brown
• Range from 1–3 inches long
• Have strong back legs for jumping
• Feed during the day, especially in warm, dry weather
• Chew through leaves, stems, and flower petals using strong mandibles

They’re fast-moving, avoid human presence, and often fly or jump away when disturbed.

Why Grasshoppers Are a Problem on Plumeria

• Feed on mature leaves, flower buds, petals, and sometimes young shoots
• Cause large, clean-edged holes or notches
• Can defoliate cuttings or damage leaf tips on newly transplanted trees
• Tend to return to the same plants day after day
• Difficult to deter once they locate a reliable food source

Common Signs of Grasshopper Damage

1. Sharp, Jagged Holes in Leaves

• Large holes with smooth, clean edges
• Often extend into the midrib or across multiple lobes
• Appear overnight or in one day after feeding

2. Notched Leaf Edges

• Chewing patterns often follow leaf margins
• Look like pieces bitten or sheared off

3. Chewed Flowers or Petals

• Petal edges appear ragged or half-missing
• Inflorescences may show feeding at base or tips

4. Presence of Droppings

• Large, dark, pellet-like frass sometimes visible on leaves or soil
• Less common than caterpillar frass but present in heavy infestations

5. Sightings During Daylight

• Grasshoppers are visible in mid-morning to late afternoon
• Found on leaf tops, stems, or nearby structures
• Fly or jump away quickly when approached

When and Where to Inspect

Timing:

• Most active during late spring through summer
• Favor hot, dry days and open sun exposure
• Often move into plumeria from nearby grasses or meadows

Where to Look:

• Leaf edges and upper foliage
• On exposed, sunlit branches or flowers
• Under nearby plants, fencing, or groundcover
• Morning hours are best for spotting slow-moving individuals

Grasshoppers vs. Other Chewing Pests

Visual Aids and Behavior Notes

• Shape: Stout body, long hind legs, short antennae
• Movement: Jump, fly, and walk
• Color: Often blends with green foliage or brown wood
• Sound: May produce a rasping or clicking sound when flying (depending on species)

Tools for Detection

• Visual scanning during bright daylight
• Use of binoculars for hard-to-reach upper foliage
• Inspection of flower edges for notching or chewing
• Observation of nearby turfgrass or weedy areas for source

Conclusion

Grasshoppers can be surprisingly destructive when they choose plumeria as a host. Their damage is distinctive—sharp-edged holes, large bites, and day-feeding patterns that stand apart from other pests. Identifying them early allows you to take action before serious defoliation occurs. In the next article, we’ll explore how to treat grasshoppers on plumeria using both organic and mechanical control strategies.