The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea microptera) is a large, brightly colored insect native to the southeastern United States, reaching up to three and a half inches. Its striking appearance and habit of congregating in gardens often cause concern. Many question the actual danger these clumsy, slow-moving insects pose to people, pets, and plants.
Identifying the Lubber Grasshopper’s Warning Signs
The Lubber Grasshopper’s vivid pattern of yellow, orange, red, and black is a biological signal known as aposematism. This bold coloring serves as a clear warning to potential predators, advertising the insect’s unpalatability and toxicity. Immature nymphs are distinct, appearing nearly all black with a pronounced dorsal stripe of yellow, orange, or red.
When threatened, the grasshopper employs a defense mechanism. It will spread its short wings, hiss loudly by expelling air, and secrete a foul-smelling, dark, frothy liquid from its respiratory openings (spiracles). This noxious chemical spray, which can be ejected up to six inches, contains synthesized toxins. They may also regurgitate partially digested plant material, sometimes called “tobacco spit,” which is repellent and can stain skin.
Toxicity Risks to Humans and Pets
While the Lubber Grasshopper possesses chemical defenses, it is harmless to humans upon contact and does not bite or sting. The primary risk comes from the defensive secretions and regurgitated material. These substances may cause temporary irritation if they contact sensitive areas like the eyes or mucous membranes. Handling the insect is not dangerous, but wearing gloves is prudent to avoid contact with the foul-smelling substances.
The main danger revolves around ingestion, particularly for pets. The toxins sequestered by the grasshopper are highly effective against vertebrate predators. Small animals have reportedly died after eating them, while larger animals, such as dogs and cats, are more likely to experience violent illness rather than fatality.
Ingestion can cause significant gastrointestinal upset because the toxins irritate the stomach lining. Symptoms of poisoning in pets include vomiting, excessive drooling, diarrhea, and lethargy. Any consumption can lead to severe distress, and persistent symptoms require immediate veterinary attention.
Impact on Plants and Landscapes
Beyond the chemical threat, the Lubber Grasshopper poses a significant danger to cultivated plants and landscapes due to its voracious appetite. They are polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of vegetation, with over 100 host plants recorded. Their feeding can be devastating, especially in gardens, ornamental plantings, and young citrus groves.
The grasshoppers often aggregate in large groups, and their combined feeding can rapidly defoliate entire plants. They consume leaves, leaving behind irregular holes or stripped stems. Preferred plants include garden vegetables like peas, lettuce, and cabbage, as well as ornamentals such as amaryllis, crinum, and lantana.
Safe Removal and Control Methods
Effective control of the Lubber Grasshopper focuses on early intervention during the nymph stage when the insects are smaller and more vulnerable. The sluggish nature and flightlessness of the adults, combined with their resistance to many insecticides, make physical removal the most practical and environmentally sound method for small infestations.
Individuals can be safely picked off plants by hand, preferably with gloves, and destroyed by dropping them into a bucket of soapy water. This method is easy when the young, black nymphs are clustered together in early spring. For larger outbreaks, specialized products like baits containing the microbial agent Nosema locustae or granular insecticides may be used, especially when applied early in the season to target emerging nymphs.