# Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (*Romalea microptera*) The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper is a big, colorful insect that loves to hop around in gardens and fields. With its bright colors, it can be hard to miss! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 40 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Eastern Lubber Grasshopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Two_eastern_Lubber_grasshopers_%28Romalea_microptera%29%252C_mating.jpg&width=800) Photo: http://www.birdphotos.com, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Two_eastern_Lubber_grasshopers_%28Romalea_microptera%29%252C_mating.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper is a very large insect with a bright yellow body, often adorned with black markings and sometimes red or orange on its head and legs. Its most striking feature is its short, leathery wings that are too small for flight, contrasting with its robust body. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Romaleidae - **Genus:** Romalea ## Interesting facts - Lubber grasshoppers often lay their eggs safely underground, where they spend the entire winter. - Their name 'lubber' means clumsy, which fits how they slowly walk instead of fly! - These bold insects can squirt a stinky, bubbly liquid from their bodies when they feel scared! - They munch on some plants that are poisonous to other animals, making the grasshoppers toxic too! ## Special abilities - **Chemical Defender:** Eastern Lubber Grasshopper can secrete a foul-smelling, toxic foam because it eats poisonous plants, which helps them deter predators. - **Warning Colors:** Eastern Lubber Grasshopper has bright yellow and black patterns that serve as a clear warning sign, helping them tell predators they are toxic. - **Powerful Leaper:** Eastern Lubber Grasshopper can use its strong hind legs to make impressive jumps, which helps them escape danger quickly on the ground. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 30-70 mm - **Lifespan:** 180-270 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These brightly colored grasshoppers munch on a variety of plants, making them herbivores. - **Primary Foods:** Oleander, Amaryllis, Canna lily, Citrus plants, Various weeds, Tomato plants - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Oleander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/oleander) (*Nerium oleander*) — Sequesters toxins from this highly poisonous plant. - **Eaten by:** [Loggerhead Shrike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/loggerhead-shrike) (*Lanius ludovicianus*) — One of few predators that can handle toxic prey. - **Eats:** [Tomato](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tomato) (*Solanum lycopersicum*) — Known to feed on the leaves of this common garden crop. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't touch grasshoppers, as some can be a bit spicy if you try to eat them! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Lubber Grasshopper? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How big is Eastern Lubber Grasshopper? 30-70 mm ### How long does Eastern Lubber Grasshopper live? 180-270 days ### What does Eastern Lubber Grasshopper eat? These brightly colored grasshoppers munch on a variety of plants, making them herbivores. ### Where is Eastern Lubber Grasshopper usually found? Grasslands ### How does Eastern Lubber Grasshopper hunt? Grazing ### How many legs does Eastern Lubber Grasshopper have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Alabama City Wall Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alabama-city-wall-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Americus Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/americus-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Bainbridge Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bainbridge-commercial-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Bullock County Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bullock-county-courthouse-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Convent and Academy of the Visitation](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/convent-and-academy-of-the-visitation) — Alabama, US · Campus - [Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/corkscrew-swamp-sanctuary) — Florida, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Eastern Lubber Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-lubber-grasshopper) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Eastern Lubber Grasshopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-lubber-grasshopper)