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.
I’m pretty sure I first encountered the plant called mala mujer in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson around 30 years ago. I...
Bristlehead (Carphochaete bigelovii) is a small shrub that I’m not sure I would have recognized without the flowers and bristles. I wonder if I’ve...
I grew up in Kentucky where the state flower is goldenrod. The particular species that has that honor is Solidago gigantea. I wonder how...