Eastern Lubber Grasshopper by Digital_Mischief

Photography • Insects • posted on Aug 20, 2013

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Description

This is an Eastern Lubber Grasshopper. I had never seen one and thought it was beautiful. When it barely hopped, I thought it was injured. It hung around for several weeks. I wanted a pic, but it was always gone to quickly. Then one day it was climb up my patio fence as if to say ' OK, I'm ready for my photo now'. So I took a few pics' Info: 'It is the most distinctive grasshopper species within the southeastern United States. Adults are difficult to kill and almost completely immune to most insecticides. They can only jump short distances, but have very few predators due to the fact they secrete a toxic substance which can easily kill birds. Plus it emits a foul-smelling/foul-tasting foamy secretion from the thorax when it is disturbed. It also lets off a loud hissing sound that can scare animals' It didn't hiss at me, but I didn't try to pic it up. I understand they are hated by gardeners as a group can eat a lot, but an individual one isn't that bad. I hope he didn't bring friends. I hate to kill anything.