Eastern lubber grasshopper
Scientific Name: Romalea microptera
Order & Family: Order: Orthoptera; Family: Romaleidae
Size: Large; adults typically range from 2.5 to 3 inches (60 to 80 mm) in length.
Natural Habitat
Found in the southeastern United States in pine woods, weedy fields, and urban gardens.
Diet & Feeding
Polyphagous herbivore that eats a wide variety of plants, including broadleaf weeds, citrus, and ornamental plants.
Behavior Patterns
Slow-moving and flightless due to small wings; they are diurnal and known for a defensive display where they hiss and secrete a foul-smelling foam.
Risks & Benefits
Considered a garden pest as they can defoliate plants. They are toxic to many predators if ingested, but provide food for certain specialized birds like the Loggerhead Shrike.
Identified on: 4/6/2026