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Grasshoppersa large 4″ bug
Mon, Jul 6, 2009 at 5:33 PM
On July 2nd while walking in florida I came upon this creature. A sunny day, the temp was 85 degrees with high humidity. Black in color with orange and black markings. This bugs body is at least 3.5 inches long.
Larry
south of Punta Gorda, FL
Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
Hi Larry,
This is an Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, Romalea microptera or sometimes Romalea guttata. There is a light form as well as the dark form represented by your photo. Generally, the southern specimens are lighter, according to BugGuide. BugGuide also has this to say: “Adults are flightless. Coloration is aposematic (warning), apparently this species is distasteful to vertebrate predators. When disturbed, it will spread its wings, hiss, and secrete a smelly fluid from its spiracles.”
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