There are only two species of Lubber Grasshoppers found in southeastern Arizona; the Horse Lubber (Taeniopoda eques) and the Plains Lubber (Brachystola magna). Both live up to the name lubber as they are large and clumsy grasshoppers.
The Horse Lubber has bright red wings and can fly a little ways, but has they get older during their short life span their flights become brief and clumsy. Fun to watch though.
Plains Lubbers are wingless, but great hoppers, though not so great at the landing part. The name Brachystola means short robe and I think it refers to their short forewings, which are pink with black spots. Pretty cute. I think short robes will be trending soon.
The art is by Cicely Mary Barker. Friend Kat Armstrong sent it my way. Bless her heart. I had forgotten that fairies gather acorns...
It took a visiting niece to get Petey back out into the Sonoran desert and remind him that the desert is beautiful.
Western soapberry is Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii and is in the Sapindaceae. In that family there are around twelve species of Sapindus. I say...
