Grasshoppers Native to Florida

Lubber Grasshopper

• The giant lubber grasshopper is a recognizable native Florida grasshopper. Its bright red and orange coloring gives it away. Lubber grasshoppers have, in the past, become populated enough to damage Florida crops, according to the University of Florida. They are not agile and cannot fly far, and they protect themselves by secreting a foul-smelling substance when they are touched. Additionally, lubber grasshoppers are poisonous to predators.

Green Slantfaced Grasshopper

• This native grasshopper is the most abundant species found in low grasses, according to the University of Florida. They are a mid-summer species identifiable by short wings and a brown to green color. The green slantfaced grasshopper inhabits fields that contain poa and little bluestem but also found amidst other grasses. The population of this native grasshopper fluctuates significantly from year to year.

Southern Redlegged Grasshopper

• The redlegged grasshopper is a native insect of most of North America including all of Florida. It is commonly found in tall vegetation, pastures, fence lines and irrigation ditches. This grasshopper is the most common grasshopper found in weedy areas, according to the University of Florida. They are long-winged grasshoppers with identifiable brown and black stripes on the bulk of the leg. The name comes from the red tips on the legs and wings of this grasshopper.

Obscure Grasshopper

• This hopper is found in all lengths of grasses throughout Florida and the southern U.S. Up to 100 percent of the obscure grasshoppers' diet consist of blue grama, but they also will eat needleandthread, buffalograss, sand dropseed, little bluestem, and western wheatgrass, according to the U.S.D.A. These grasshoppers are long-winged, tan to green in color and has varying black stripes.