Crickets With Orange Stripes in a Garden

Adult Eastern lubber grasshoppers bear little resemblance to their nymphs.

Oftentimes gardeners find unusual insects while working among their vegetables and ornamentals. Some are more difficult to identify than others. For example, the Eastern lubber grasshopper nymph is frequently misidentified as a cricket with orange stripes because of its dark coloration and compact form. Also known as the devil's horses, these grasshoppers are striking and a favorite of photographers.

Distribution

Eastern lubber grasshoppers (Romalea microptera) are known throughout the southeastern United States. They can be found as far north as central North Carolina and south and west through southern Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and eastern Texas. Eastern lubber grasshoppers are sometimes serious pests of citrus orchards in Florida.

Misidentification

These grasshoppers are often confused with crickets, and for good reason. The nymph stage of the Eastern lubber grasshopper is usually solid black with yellow or orange stripes. Adults and nymphs alike amble along the ground and rarely jump or attempt to fly. Their wings are very short and prevent any significant flight.

Unique Coloration

The coloration of the Eastern lubber grasshopper is its most distinctive feature. These colors, though, are more than just a nice paint job. The yellow, orange and blacks are warnings to predators that these insects are poisonous. Birds and mammals have both been known to become extremely ill or die after ingesting Eastern lubber grasshoppers.

Elimination

Eliminating any kind of grasshopper is challenging because of its tough exoskeleton. However, if Eastern lubber grasshoppers are present in your garden in large numbers, they will exfoliate new plant growth and will have to be addressed. The most effective control is hand-picking. Since these grasshoppers are slow-moving, hand-picking a small garden can be a simple solution. Hand-picking may be more difficult in larger settings, however. Some insecticides are effective against grasshoppers and should be applied at the nymph phase. Apply carbaryl, bifenthrin, cyhalothrin, permethrin or esfenvalerate directly to insects for best effect.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Eastern Lubber Grasshopper; C. W. Scherer, et al.; February 2008
• Loyola University New Orleans; Southeastern Lubber Grasshopper; Bob Thomas; August 2010
• University of Georgia Extension; Eastern Lubber Grasshopper; Jennifer Davidson; May 2008
• Stetson University: Lubber Grasshoppers