top of page

Grasshoppers of Zihuatanejo

INFRAORDER ACRIDIDEA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Grasshoppers, Crickets, and Katydids (Order Orthoptera)

-Grasshoppers, Locusts, and Allies (Suborder Caelifera)

-Grasshoppers (Infraorder Acrididea)

-Short-horned Grasshoppers and Locusts (Superfamily Acridoidea)

-Lubber Grasshoppers (Family Romaleidae)

-Subfamily Romaleinae

-Tribe Romaleini

-Horse Lubbers (Genus Romalea)

-Romalea picticornis


Romalea picticornis is a species of horse lubber grasshopper in the family Romaleidae. These Mexican relatives share the iconic "lubber" physique: they are massive, slow-moving insects that can reach up to 9 centimetres in length. They are generalist herbivores that inhabit arid grasslands and scrub, defending themselves by secreting a foul-smelling, toxic foam when threatened.

​

Romalea picticornis

Description

  • Romalea picticornis is a large lubber grasshopper in the family Romaleidae and subfamily Romaleinae. It has a heavy-bodied form, a prominent elevated pronotal crest, relatively short wings, and powerful hind legs. The body is typically green to olive-yellow, with darker markings on the legs and wings. The antennae are particularly distinctive, with the flagellar segments showing black rings near their distal margins.

Range

  • Romalea picticornis is endemic to Mexico and occurs broadly along the Pacific coastal plains and mountain ranges, including the Balsas Basin and adjacent highlands. Its range includes Guerrero, and it occurs in the broader Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

  • It inhabits warm terrestrial environments including tropical dry forest, woodland, scrub, forest edges, clearings, grassland, and disturbed vegetation. It is generally associated with low shrubs and herbaceous plants where its green and olive-yellow colouring provides camouflage.

Diet

  • Romalea picticornis is primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, grasses, herbs, and other green vegetation. Like other lubber grasshoppers, it can consume a broad range of plants and may feed on both native vegetation and cultivated or ornamental plants.

bottom of page