It’s that time of year again: warmer weather, blooming plants, and swarms of tiny black lubber grasshoppers. On the UF/IFAS Extension nature trail in St. Lucie County, I spotted countless nymphs scattering through the plants. They may be small now, but they’ll soon grow into large, voracious plant‑eaters.
These pests are Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers (Romalea microptera). Despite their size, they’re poor jumpers and can’t fly, but they make up for it with toughness, climbing ability, and an appetite for more than 100 plant species.
Freshly emerged nymphs are wingless, black, and marked with a bright stripe. They often cluster together before spreading out. As adults, they reach 2–3.5 inches long and shift to yellow or tawny bodies with black markings.
Lubbers prefer tender new growth and broad‑leaf plants, especially lettuce, beans, citrus, amaryllis, and oleander. Once they find a food source, they can quickly strip foliage, leaving behind large, irregular holes.
Management tips:
- Hand‑pick nymphs and drop them into soapy water (gloves recommended).
- Dispose of them in the trash.
- Insecticides are most effective on young nymphs; adults are far more resistant.
- Products known to work include carbaryl, bifenthrin, cyhalothrin, permethrin, esfenvalerate, and spinosad. Always follow label directions.
For more information, consult UF/IFAS resources.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN132
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