Lubber Grasshopper
Interesting Facts about the Lubber Grasshopper
The lubber grasshopper is commonly called the eastern lubber grasshopper. They are mainly found in the south central and southeastern parts of the United States. Generally, the furthest north that they are found in is the central area of North Carolina, and their area extends south throughout Florida.
The lubber grasshopper is easily the most distinctive species in the southeastern area of the United States. It is larger than many of the other species of grasshoppers and it is also known for the unique colors it displays. The wings are too short to allow this larger grasshopper to fly, so it gets around through rather clumsy-looking jumps. It actually walks more often than it jumps, because it is so lumbering.
The younger members of the lubber grasshopper species look very different from the adults. The nymphs, which are immature grasshoppers, are usually completely black with red, orange or yellow stripes. The sides of the head and the front legs are usually red.
Adult lubber grasshopper males are usually about 2.5 inches long, and the females about 3.25 inches long. The legs are rather slender for the body they support. Adults are usually a dull yellow in color, and they sometimes have black markings and spots. The front wings are usually yellow with black spots, and the hind wings are red in color with a black border around them.
The adult lubbers exist throughout most of the year in Florida, until their numbers begin dwindling during the fall and winter months. The females lay eggs in the summer, which hatch in February or March, depending on temperature. Then the nymphs go through five stages before molting into adults. The months with the most adult lubbers are usually July and August.
The eastern lubber grasshopper prefers pine type forests, fields of weeds and the types of weeds that grow alongside roads. Sometimes, in Florida, there will be so many lubbers on rural roads that they create a slick spot for automobiles.
Some farms with weedy areas around them attract lubbers, and they will feed on the crops as well as the weeds. Sometimes they will infest a residential area and they will eat ornamental plants, which causes the homeowners to regard them as pests.
The eastern lubber grasshopper has various ways to defend itself. The bright colors and patterns warn predators that they are toxic. If that fails, they can secrete a foamy spray from the portion of their body where the wings and legs attach. The spray contains irritants and its release is followed by a hissing sound, to persuade predators to look elsewhere for food.
The lubber grasshopper, for its size, actually consumes less than many smaller species of grasshoppers. If you want to keep them away from your farm or house, keep your weeds and plants trimmed, as they prefer taller vegetation.