Cumberland Plateau Cave Cricket vs Eastern Lubber Grasshopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cumberland Plateau Cave Cricket Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
Scientific Name Hadenoecus cumberlandicus Romalea microptera
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Rhaphidophoridae Romaleidae
Size 15-25 mm 50-80 mm
Habitat Caves Grasslands
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions United States North America
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Cumberland Plateau Cave Cricket

A cave cricket restricted to caves in the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee and Kentucky. It has smaller eyes than surface-dwelling relatives.

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Did You Know?

It represents an independent colonization of caves from the related H. subterraneus.

Eastern Lubber Grasshopper

A large, brightly colored grasshopper with short wings that cannot fly. Its bold yellow, red, and black coloration warns predators of its toxic secretions.

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Did You Know?

When threatened, lubber grasshoppers secrete a foul-smelling, toxic froth from their thoracic spiracles that can sicken birds.