# Plains Lubber Grasshopper (*Brachystola magna*) The Plains Lubber Grasshopper is a big, colorful grasshopper that loves to hop around in the grass. It has bright colors that help it blend in with flowers and plants. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Plains Lubber Grasshopper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Brachystola_magna_250415191.jpg&width=800) Photo: Pirataber, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brachystola_magna_250415191.jpg) ## Appearance The Plains Lubber Grasshopper is a very large, robust insect, typically yellowish-brown to green with bold black markings. It has a distinctive thick body and unusually short, pinkish-red wings that are not used for flight. Its sturdy appearance makes it stand out from many slender, flying grasshoppers. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Orthoptera - **Family:** Romaleidae - **Genus:** Brachystola ## Interesting facts - Female Plains Lubbers lay their eggs deep underground, hidden safe for winter. - Its 'lubber' name means clumsy or slow, fitting its walk and non-flying nature. - These giant grasshoppers can make a loud hissing sound to scare away attackers! - They can easily munch through tough plants that other insects avoid because they are so strong! ## Special abilities - **Stinky Shield:** Plains Lubber Grasshoppers can squirt a foul-smelling, toxic fluid from their bodies, protecting them from predators because it tastes terrible. - **Mighty Leap:** Plains Lubber Grasshoppers can use their strong hind legs to make powerful jumps, helping them escape danger quickly. - **Bright Warning:** Plains Lubber Grasshoppers have bright, contrasting colors that warn predators they are unpleasant to eat, keeping them safe. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 35-70 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-90 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These herbivorous giants munch on leaves, flowers, and stems of various plants. - **Primary Foods:** Sunflowers, Ragweed, Broadleaf plants, Forbs, Some grasses - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Common Sunflower (*Helianthus annuus*) — A common food source for the grasshopper. - **Eats:** [Common Ragweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-ragweed) (*Ambrosia artemisiifolia*) — They consume the leaves of this plant. - **Eaten by:** [Loggerhead Shrike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/loggerhead-shrike) (*Lanius ludovicianus*) — A bird known to prey on large insects. - **Eaten by:** Striped Skunk (*Mephitis mephitis*) — Skunks will eat insects found on the ground. ## 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 too much; they can be a little jumpy! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Plains 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 Plains Lubber Grasshopper? 35-70 mm ### How long does Plains Lubber Grasshopper live? 60-90 days ### What does Plains Lubber Grasshopper eat? These herbivorous giants munch on leaves, flowers, and stems of various plants. ### Where is Plains Lubber Grasshopper usually found? Grasslands ### How does Plains Lubber Grasshopper hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Plains Lubber Grasshopper have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Monument Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monument-rocks) — Kansas, US · Nature Reserve - [Toadstool Geologic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/toadstool-geologic-park) — Nebraska, US · Nature Reserve - [Fort Chadbourne](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-chadbourne) — Texas, US · Historic Site - [Hooker County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hooker-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site - [Kentucky Camp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentucky-camp) — Arizona, US · Historic Site - [Niobrara Valley Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/niobrara-valley-preserve) — Nebraska, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Plains Lubber Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/plains-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: [Plains Lubber Grasshopper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plains-lubber-grasshopper)