floridensis
beneath the spanish moss with janson jones
Romalea microptera, 29 April 2020
Romalea microptera, the Eastern lubber grasshopper;
Volusia county, Florida (29 April 2020).
This is a nymph-stage Eastern lubber grasshopper. Though impressively large already, this nymphal grasshopper will grow a bit larger and take on a more yellow-and-red appearance in its adult form. Lubbers can be very, very common in certain places, and a cloud of grasshoppers can do some serious damage to gardens and local foliage. This is not a beloved species to many gardeners in the eastern United States, but most should agree that it is a striking and lovely species — despite its reputation.
floridensis 