Romaleidae

Pictet & Saussure, 1887

lubber grasshoppers, lubbers

Genus Guides

7

, commonly known as lubber grasshoppers, are a of large, flightless or short-winged grasshoppers found in the Americas. The family includes some of the largest and most robust grasshoppers in North America, with often exceeding 50 mm in length and displaying striking color patterns. The "lubber" derives from nautical slang for a clumsy person, referencing their slow, deliberate movements and inability to fly. The family comprises two , Bactrophorinae and Romaleinae, with the latter containing the well-known Romalea. Many exhibit aposematic coloration as nymphs and adults, advertising their chemical defenses against .

Romaleidae by (c) Aitor, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Aitor. Used under a CC-BY license.Romaleidae by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Brachystola magna by (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Romaleidae: //roʊˈmæliːəˌdeɪ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other by the combination of large size (typically >40 mm), reduced or absent wings rendering flightless, and slow, clumsy locomotion. Unlike Acrididae, which are generally winged and agile jumpers, lubbers move by and short hops. The pronotum lacks the extension seen in some acridids. are relatively short compared to tettigoniids. The Brachystola has a trapezoidal pronotum with dense small knobs and short wrinkles. Romalea display bright warning coloration with contrasting bands. Nymphs are identifiable by their striking aposematic patterns and wing pad development through five instars.

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Appearance

Large, heavy-bodied grasshoppers with robust, bulky builds. range from 40-70+ mm in length, with females typically larger than males. Wings are reduced to short, non-functional pads (brachypterous) or completely absent; tegmina when present are often brightly colored with contrasting patterns. Body coloration highly variable: green, brown, pink, yellow, or combinations with black markings. Pronotum typically trapezoidal with distinct carinae. Hind legs enlarged and muscular but relatively short compared to body size. Nymphs often brightly colored in red, black, and yellow patterns.

Habitat

Occupies diverse open including shortgrass prairie, mixed-grass prairie, tallgrass prairie, desert grasslands, sandhills, and disturbed rangeland. Frequently associated with roadsides, field margins, and areas with abundant forbs, particularly sunflowers (Helianthus spp.). In South America, found in tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas. Many show preference for disturbed or edge habitats where plants are concentrated. Some species occupy specialized habitats such as lichen-covered rock outcrops or coconut palm groves.

Distribution

Native to the Americas. North American range from southern Canada through the United States to central Mexico. South American species distributed from Panama through central and tropical South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay. The Romalea extends from the southern United States through Central America to Panama. Some genera such as Tropidacris reach into the Caribbean. Individual species may have restricted ranges; for example, Brachystola magna is characteristic of the Great Plains, while Romalea microptera is restricted to the southeastern United States.

Seasonality

varies by and latitude. Hatching typically occurs in late spring to early summer (May-June in northern ranges, later at higher elevations or latitudes). In southwestern North America, hatching may be triggered by summer monsoon rains. Nymphal development lasts approximately 30-45 days. present from mid-summer through fall, with some persisting into November in milder climates. occurs in late summer and early fall. Some species exhibit a two-year with requiring two periods before hatching, resulting in fluctuations.

Diet

, feeding on a wide variety of forbs and grasses. Strongly associated with Asteraceae, particularly sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)—common sunflower, prairie sunflower, and related are preferred . Other documented food plants include hoary vervain (Verbena stricta), dandelion, sowthistle, western ragweed, and various legumes. Some species show tendencies: have been observed scavenging on dead insects and actively preying on smaller, injured grasshoppers. Diet breadth varies geographically and seasonally based on plant availability.

Host Associations

  • Helianthus annuus - primary Common sunflower; preferred food plant, attracts and nymphs
  • Helianthus petiolaris - Prairie sunflower; suspected supporting isolated
  • Helianthus pumilus - Documented association in Colorado
  • Verbena stricta - secondary Hoary vervain; frequently consumed where available

Life Cycle

deposited in summer and early fall in large, gourd-shaped pods 1.75-2 inches long, containing 20-35 eggs. Eggs large (10-11 mm), dark reddish-brown. Incubation requires ; some require two years of incubation before hatching. Nymphs emerge in spring, passing through five instars over 27-45 days depending on temperature. reach maturity in early to mid-summer. Oviposition begins 3-4 weeks after adult and continues for approximately 60 days. Females select bare, sandy loam areas for egg deposition. No parental care.

Behavior

and slow-moving, with limited ability due to flightlessness. Movement primarily by and short hops (3-5 inches normally, up to 9 feet when disturbed in males). and nymphs bask dorsally in morning sun for approximately two hours, turning perpendicular to rays. When temperatures exceed (ground surface >110°F), individuals climb vegetation to seek shade or adopt postural responses facing the sun. Show strong dispersal tendency through prairie vegetation, traveling in consistent directions at relatively rapid crawling speeds. Mating and oviposition occur on the ground. Nymphs of some aggregate conspicuously on foliage, a associated with aposematic defense.

Ecological Role

Herbivore and occasional /scavenger. Functions as agent of weeds in some by consuming forb vegetation. Serves as food source for birds, rodents, , and other . Large contributes to nutrient cycling and energy flow in prairie . Chemical defenses ( of plant toxins) may reduce pressure and influence dynamics. Patchy distribution associated with disturbance regimes and plant availability.

Human Relevance

Occasional agricultural pest, particularly of seedling cotton, young sunflower plants, and garden crops. documented in Texas (1954, 1959, 1977, 1979) and other states, with capable of destroying cotton stands by consuming all foliage. Damage typically limited to field margins and roadsides where populations concentrate. Flightlessness limits spread, making targeted control feasible. Used in educational contexts due to large size and conspicuous appearance. Some kept as pets. Subject of scientific research on chemical defense, aposematism, and .

Similar Taxa

  • AcrididaeSimilar body plan but distinguished by functional wings, smaller average size, and agile and jumping ability; lubbers are flightless and slow-moving
  • TettigoniidaeLarge size overlap but distinguished by extremely long , habits, and singing ; lubbers have short antennae and are and silent
  • PyrgomorphidaeBoth contain aposematic, chemically defended grasshoppers; distinguished by geographic distribution (Pyrgomorphidae primarily Old World) and specific wing reduction patterns

More Details

Taxonomic history

has been treated variously as a full or as Romaleinae within Acrididae. Current consensus recognizes Romaleidae as a distinct family within . The Taeniopoda has been synonymized with Romalea based on recent taxonomic revision, expanding Romalea to 12 from southern USA to Panama.

Chemical defense

Lubbers sequester toxins from plants, making them unpalatable or toxic to . This defense is advertised through bright aposematic coloration, particularly in nymphs. The effectiveness of this defense is evidenced by their slow, exposed and activity pattern.

Population dynamics

Some exhibit cycles correlated with two-year development. populations can reach densities of 10 per square yard in favorable with abundant sunflowers, though such outbreaks are sporadic and typically short-lived.

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Sources and further reading