Our enormous Florida grasshoppers! (pictures)

[TigH]

Ok, I don't feel so guilty about killing these suckers anymore. There is a beautiful flowering plant in front of our bedroom window that ONLY flowers at this time of year. The &$#!@ grasshoppers have eaten all the flower buds and destroyed most of the leaves. Keep in mind that this grasshopper is clinging to a full sized brick. They are HUGE!

Here are some links to pictures of the destructive monsters.

<a href="http://www.rossandkaren.org/grasshop1.jpg">Grasshopper picture number one</a>

<a href="http://www.rossandkaren.org/grasshop2.jpg">Grasshopper picture number two</a>

<a href="http://www.rossandkaren.org/grasshop3.jpg">Grasshopper picture number three</a>

Sorry, I didn't take any pictures of the victim. I think it's called a Crinum Lilly. Anyway, the flower is actually a bunch of long, white, tubular flowers that open up at the tip and kind of look like a beautiful white firework explosion. This is the third summer in our house and the third year we've had this problem. I don't like using pesticide, so I have to put on my stomping shoes and do a daily pest patrol!

Aren't they the ugliest (yet most fascinating?) grasshoppers you have ever seen? I tried to get a picture of one in defense mode, but he wouldn't cooperate. They lift their wings and have these little red thingies that they shake around. Think Hopper in Bug's Life. Eeeek!

 

[Mamu]

Those hoppers look like something from a horror movie.

I wouldn't feel guilty either, but I would be watching while I was squashing, just in case that hopper has friends.

 

[SideshowBob]

Awsome pictures!

Those suckers are tough, aren't they.

Exoskeletons rock.

 

[Snowwark]

Oh my goodness TigH, you could practically put a saddle on those things....wow!!

The pictures are fantastic, but please, keep the hoppers in Florida!

 

[DixieDreamer]

EWWWWWwww and I thought ours were bad around here. YUCK!

 

[gepetto]

OMG! I would totally freak if I saw one of those!!

 

[TigH]

I'm glad I'm not the only person who is freaked out by these guys! Next year I'll know better and I'll start the stomp-fest when they are younger.

At least you never see them at WDW!

 

[TimNDansMom]

I took a picture of one years ago, while touring the Everglades. I couldn't believe the size of it!

 

[SideshowBob]

SSB had a dream about those suckers, last night!!! LOL

They really are the "sturdiest" (sp?) creature that I have ever encountered..... remember as a wild youth running over them with the lawn mower!!!!! (before my reformed days of no killing....

I had to remove your picture as my wallpaper, as don't want a REPEAT dream!!!

 

[December99]

ICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HATE grasshoppers....just hate them!!!! They cling to you when they grab you and I just hate them!!!! We have ugly ones up here...at least this one had some color!