After four years of answers I knew were wrong, I got this:
Don't know if you've already received an answer, but:It came from Shawn at Okanagan University College in British Columbia. Thank you, Shawn. I searched for "lubber grasshopper" and here's what I found.Its a lubber grasshopper. They are used all the time for dissections for entomology courses (you can order them from supply houses).
First, I found this. The map was encouraging (I live in Georgia.), but the pictures just don't look like the same thing.
Then, I found this. It looks much closer. The redish legs bother me. My guys are black all over (and big and clumsy).
Next, I found this. It looks nothing like what I have here but it's just so beautiful - I had to show you.
Lot's of time passed and I got this:
I expect that by now you've had a number of e-mails telling you that that big grasshopper is known, at least in South Georgia where I was raised, as a Georgia Thumper.No, Joel, all I got is what I mentioned above. Thanks for telling me. The black ones I see are so big that it's hard for me to believe they are juveniles. Also, I've never seen one that looked like it had started to change in any way. Still, you and the others are starting to convince me that these are what you say. Thanks for responding. It's all silly, I guess, but it's been a lot of fun.What you show there is the juvenile. The juveniles are black. The adults are yellow. They're pretty impressive critters. Eastern Lubber
Joel
