Lubber
Guides
Brachystola
grassland lubbers
Brachystola is a genus of large, flightless grassland lubber grasshoppers in the family Romaleidae, distributed across the western United States and Mexico. Members are among the largest grasshoppers in North America, with robust bodies, short non-functional wings, and striking coloration. The genus includes six recognized species, with Brachystola magna (plains lubber grasshopper) being the most studied due to its use in early genetic research and its status as an occasional agricultural pest.
Brachystola magna
Plains Lubber Grasshopper, Western Lubber Grasshopper, Homesteader
Brachystola magna is one of the largest grasshoppers in North America, a flightless species inhabiting the Great Plains from the Canadian border to central Mexico. Adults reach 4–6 cm in length, with females substantially larger and heavier than males. The species exhibits a two-year life cycle, with eggs overwintering twice before hatching. Though primarily herbivorous, adults display notable omnivory including scavenging and predation on other insects. The species has historical scientific significance as the subject of Walter Sutton's pioneering work on reduction division and chromosome theory.
Dracotettix
dragon lubbers
Dracotettix is a genus of flightless grasshoppers commonly known as dragon lubbers, placed in the family Romaleidae. The genus contains at least three described species, including the notably large and distinctive Dracotettix monstrosus. These insects are characterized by their robust, heavily built bodies and reduced wings. They are native to western North America, with records from California and northwestern Mexico.
Dracotettix monstrosus
Gray Dragon Lubber
Dracotettix monstrosus, the gray dragon lubber, is a large, flightless lubber grasshopper endemic to California. It belongs to the family Romaleidae, a group known for their aposematic coloration and chemical defenses. The species is notable for its distinctive common name reflecting both its draconic appearance and monstrous size relative to other grasshoppers.
Phrynotettix robustus
robust toad lubber, robust toad hopper
Phrynotettix robustus is a species of lubber grasshopper in the family Romaleidae, commonly known as the robust toad lubber or robust toad hopper. It is found in North America, with records from Arizona, Texas, and northeastern Mexico. The species was first described by Bruner in 1889. Three subspecies are recognized: P. r. robustus, P. r. manicola, and P. r. occultus.
Romalea
Horse Lubbers, Lubber Grasshoppers
Romalea is a genus of large, flightless lubber grasshoppers in the family Romaleidae. Traditionally containing a single species, R. microptera (eastern lubber grasshopper), recent taxonomic revisions have synonymized Taeniopoda with Romalea, expanding the genus to approximately 12 species distributed from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America to Panama. These grasshoppers are among the largest in North America, characterized by aposematic coloration, chemical defenses, and reduced wings that render them incapable of flight.
Romaleidae
lubber grasshoppers, lubbers
Romaleidae, commonly known as lubber grasshoppers, are a family 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 adults often exceeding 50 mm in length and displaying striking color patterns. The common name "lubber" derives from nautical slang for a clumsy person, referencing their slow, deliberate movements and inability to fly. The family comprises two subfamilies, Bactrophorinae and Romaleinae, with the latter containing the well-known genus Romalea. Many species exhibit aposematic coloration as nymphs and adults, advertising their chemical defenses against predators.
Taeniopoda
horse lubbers
Taeniopoda is a genus of large, flightless grasshoppers commonly known as horse lubbers, native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. The genus contains approximately 12 described species, characterized by bold aposematic coloration that serves as warning signals to predators. Taeniopoda is closely related to Romalea, with which it can produce fertile hybrids in captivity; some authorities consider Taeniopoda a junior synonym of Romalea. Species in this genus exhibit striking defensive behaviors including hissing, secretion of foul-smelling froth, and vomiting.
Taeniopoda eques
western horse lubber grasshopper, horse lubber
Taeniopoda eques is a large, flightless lubber grasshopper endemic to the Chihuahuan Desert and adjacent arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults are notable for their aposematic black coloration with yellow markings, though color morphs vary geographically. The species is chemically defended against vertebrate predators and uses behavioral thermoregulation to accelerate development in its short growing season. It is univoltine, with eggs undergoing diapause through winter before hatching with summer rains.
Tytthotyle maculata
Furnace Heat Lubber
Tytthotyle maculata is a species of lubber grasshopper in the family Romaleidae, commonly known as the Furnace Heat Lubber. It is native to arid regions of western North America, particularly California and surrounding areas. As a member of the Romaleidae, it belongs to a family known for large, flightless or poorly flying grasshoppers with aposematic coloration. The specific epithet 'maculata' refers to spotted or mottled patterning.