Wild Florida Photo - Romalea microptera

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Romalea microptera

EASTERN LUBBER GRASSHOPPER

SOUTHEASTERN LUBBER GRASSHOPPER

LUBBER

Synonym: Romalea guttata

Florida native

 

These large and colorful grasshoppers can be found throughout nearly all of Florida and Georgia. The range extends through the southeastern coastal plain from eastern Texas into central North Carolina. Favored habitats include open pine woods, weedy fields and roadsides as well as coastal areas and salt marshes.
The eggs typically hatch in late February in south Florida and mid-March in other parts of the state. After hatching, masses of young lubbers will climb to the highest point on nearby foliage (see photos). Immatures are black with yellow stripes and red legs. Adults are mostly yellow with black and red markings. These grasshoppers have small wings that are only marginally useful for mobility. Adults are most numerous in July and August when the females lay eggs in the soil to hatch the next year. Romalea microptera are toxic and can emit a foul-smelling secretion as a defensive mechanism.
The daily movements of lubber grasshoppers, from high perches on vegetation, down to the ground, and back up again, help the insects regulate their body temperature, as can be seen in Ascent of the Lubbers.
More information on lubbers can be found at Featured Creatures.

 
Romalea microptera is a member of the Romaleidae - Lubber grasshoppers family.
 

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  Peter Alden
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Date record last modified:
Jul 14, 2010