The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea microptera) is very common in the Everglades and in some places they are abundant. Some gardeners probably don't like them very much. As a nature photographer, I really enjoy those colorful insects.
These giants can reach 8 cm (3 in). They are slow moving creatures, unable to fly... so good chances for nice macro shots! How does a big, slow and not camouflaged cricket survive with tons of predators around? They can emit a foul-smelling and foul-tasting foamy secretion from the thorax when they feel threatened. So the red and yellow is used as a warning coloring (aposematism).
Also very interesting is the different appearence of the young (nymph) and the adult specimen.
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| Romalea microptera (adult) |
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| Romalea microptera (nymph) |
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