CRICKETS, GRASSHOPPERS, KATYDIDS, AND MANTIDS

Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, Romalea microptera

Order: Orthoptera (Crickets, Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Mantids)

Size: Up to 2 1⁄2"

Habitat: Fields, rural gardens, disturbed areas

Range: Southeastern United States

The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper is one of many members of the group known as “short-horned grasshoppers” due to their relatively short, stubby antennae. The body has a long abdomen and shield-like upper thorax (pronotum), the eyes are large, and the mouth has strong, chewing mouthparts. Although equipped with large hind legs like other grasshoppers and crickets, it is not a particularly good jumper, but rather it lumbers sluggishly along the ground and vegetation. Also, because its wings are so short, it is incapable of flight. The color may be yellow to reddish brown with intricate black markings, or nearly solid black with a yellow edging on the back of the pronotum and on the abdomen. These large plant-eaters can occur in huge numbers and are often considered pests to farmers and gardeners. A light-phase adult is illustrated.