Before we felt the cool, crisp fall weather, the summer heat was embracing the Sioux Empire. Warm weather always attracts different insects including grasshoppers.

When I go for a run outside, I usually enjoy a workout on the Sioux Falls bike trails. There is something that I have noticed recently while running on the bike trails. Besides seeing all the leaves changing colors, there still have been a whole lot of grasshoppers hanging out on the bike trails.

Get our free mobile app

It seems silly to point out a normal insect like grasshoppers. However, I've seen literally hundreds of them along the bike trails. I couldn’t figure out why there were so many of them hopping around the Sioux Empire this year. Believe it or not, there is actually an interesting reason why a lot more grasshoppers have been making their presence known in Sioux Falls.

Since we were in an extensive drought period last year as well as for part of 2022, individuals apparently are going to notice more grasshoppers. This growing grasshopper population is also pretty harmful to farms in South Dakota. Our friends at SDSU Extension explain, "Drought conditions exacerbate the grasshopper issue, as this pest will seek any plant material that is green during the growing season. In 2021, there were large populations of grasshoppers that caused issues in central and western South Dakota."  Who knew seeing grasshoppers in Sioux Falls were due to drought conditions?

According to SDSU Extension, there are more than one species of grasshopper that can be found in South Dakota. The one pictured is known as Differential Grasshopper which is pretty large for a grasshopper. SDSU Extension says these grasshoppers "vary in size from 1 1/8 to 1 ½ inches long. Their bodies are green to yellow in color, and they have black chevron markings on their hind legs."

Just in case you were curious about why there are so many grasshoppers in Sioux Falls and the Sioux Empire, there’s your scientific explanation!

South Dakota's Weird Exotic Animal Laws Are Amazing

Have an interesting pet or looking to get one? Check this out from South Dakota Exotic Animal Laws before you go trying to adopt one.

You will need a zoo permit to harbor a raccoon dog. That's a real species. It's a small wild dog with a black facial mask and long fur, native to the forests of Asia.

Top 14 Restaurants That Should Come Back to Sioux Falls

Some friends and I were getting together for dinner and we were trying to decide where to go. That’s when we started reminiscing about our favorite Sioux Falls restaurants that have come and gone. Here's a list of 14 restaurants I want to come back to Sioux Falls. What restaurants were your favorites that are no longer in Sioux Falls?

More From Hot 104.7 - KKLS-FM