Romalea

Romalea species are distinguished from other grasshoppers by their exceptionally large size (adults 5–9 cm), robust bodies, and conspicuously reduced wings (tegmina and hindwings much shorter than abdomen, non-functional for flight). The genus is characterized by heavy chitinous body armor, spiny hind legs, and bold aposematic coloration patterns (black with yellow, orange, or red markings). The pronotum is trapezoidal with distinct carinae. Romalea differs from the historically separated genus Taeniopoda by genetic and comprehensive morphological data; the two were previously distinguished primarily by color patterns and pronotal shape, but these characters do not reflect actual phylogenetic relationships. Species within Romalea are distinguished by details of coloration, pronotal structure, and geographic distribution.

Open pinewoods, weedy vegetation, weedy fields, roadsides, and disturbed rangeland. In western portions of the range, inhabits desert scrub and prairie habitats including shortgrass, mixedgrass, tallgrass, sand, and desert prairies. Often associated with patches of host forbs, particularly sunflowers (Helianthus spp.).

Southeastern and south-central United States (North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Florida) extending west to Arizona, New Mexico, and north to Wyoming and Montana. Following taxonomic revision including Taeniopoda as a junior synonym, the genus now extends through Mexico and Central America to Panama.

Nymphs hatch in spring (mid-May to mid-June depending on latitude and elevation). Adults appear in early summer (late June through July) and persist until fall. In milder climates, adults may survive into November. Eggs require two years of incubation before hatching, resulting in biennial population cycles with higher densities in alternate years.

Polyphagous, feeding primarily on forbs and various plant species. R. microptera consumes a wide variety of vegetation including hairy beggar ticks and other broadleaf plants. R. eques feeds on desert annuals, various shrubs, and scavenges carcasses. The plains lubber grasshopper (B. magna, historically related) shows strong association with common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and other forbs.

Eggs are deposited in large pods (1.75–2 inches long, gourd-shaped) in bare, sandy loam areas, with 20–35 eggs per pod. Eggs undergo two years of incubation and overwintering before hatching. Nymphs develop through five instars over approximately 45 days in nature (27 days under laboratory conditions). Adults reach sexual maturity after approximately 3 weeks, with egg laying continuing for about 60 days until late September.

Diurnal and gregarious, especially in nymphal stages. Flightless, moving by walking and hopping. When threatened, employs multiple defense mechanisms: (1) regurgitation of noxious gut contents (

Herbivore and occasional scavenger. Serves as prey for birds, rodents, carnivores, and invertebrate predators despite chemical defenses. Acts as biological control agent of weeds in some habitats by feeding on forbs. Host for parasitic organisms including sarcophagid fly larvae and gregarine parasites (Boliviana floridensis).

Occasional agricultural pest, particularly of seedling cotton and other crops when populations outbreak. Damage typically localized to field margins. Chemical defenses make adults difficult to control with insecticides; management focuses on hand-picking or treating nymphs with toxic baits. Popular subject for entomological study and education due to large size, striking appearance, and remarkable defenses. Harmless to humans despite defensive behaviors.

• BrachystolaLarge flightless lubber grasshoppers with reduced wings and similar body plan; historically confused with Romalea but distinguished by geographic distribution (western plains) and details of pronotal structure and coloration.
• TaeniopodaNow synonymized with Romalea based on genetic and comprehensive morphological data; previously distinguished by color patterns and pronotal shape, but these characters are not phylogenetically informative and the two groups produce fertile hybrids in captivity.
• Differential grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis)Common grasshopper pest in similar agricultural habitats, but fully winged, capable of flight, smaller, and lacks aposematic coloration and chemical defenses of Romalea.

• grasshopper
• lubber
• flightless
• aposematic
• chemical defense
• agricultural pest
• southeastern US
• Mexico
• Central America

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Plains Lubber Grasshopper
• Occasional Pests - AgriLife Extension Entomology
• Destination Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Florida: Mighty defenses of the eastern lubber grasshopper, 'Romalea microptera' — Bug of the Week
• Destination Big Cypress National Preserve and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Florida to meet the mighty eastern lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera — Bug of the Week
• Archive — Bug of the Week
• Romalea microptera Archives - Entomology Today
• Host Plant Selection byRomalea microptera(Orthoptera: Romaleidae)
• Notes on Sarcophagids from the New Host Romalea microptera, and from Terrapene carolina carolina
• Storage and release of neuropeptides from the corpus cardiacum of the Eastern lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera
• Taxonomic revision of the transitional Nearctic-Neotropical lubber grasshopper genus Romalea (Orthoptera: Romaleidae)
• Biology and management of Romalea eques (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
• Description and Laboratory Biology of Boliviana floridensis n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida) Parasitizing the Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, Romalea microptera (Orthoptera: Romalidae), from Florida, U.S.A