---
title: Spotting the Central American Lubber Grasshopper on Las Catalinas Trails
description: Spot the Central American lubber grasshopper on the trails in Las Catalinas. Learn about its life cycle, colors, habits, and why these slow movers are here this season.
image: https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hubfs/1%20-%20copia.jpg
---

# Spotting the Central American Lubber Grasshopper on Las Catalinas Trails

<https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/spotting-the-central-american-lubber-grasshopper-on-las-catalinas-trails> <https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?status=https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/spotting-the-central-american-lubber-grasshopper-on-las-catalinas-trails> <https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/spotting-the-central-american-lubber-grasshopper-on-las-catalinas-trails> [mailto:?subject=I%20wanted%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/spotting-the-central-american-lubber-grasshopper-on-las-catalinas-trails](mailto:?subject=I%20wanted%20you%20to%20see%20this%20site&body=https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/spotting-the-central-american-lubber-grasshopper-on-las-catalinas-trails) 

[Book](https://www.lascatalinascr.com/section/booking)

<https://news.lascatalinascr.com/press>

Walking along the trails towards the wooden deck lookout, you might spot a rather striking insect: the Central American lubber grasshopper (*Romalea varipennis*), or *Saltamonte Perezoso Centroamericano* in Spanish.

If you see the black kind with red legs, you have found it in its young nymph stage. 

 

![IMG_3769](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_3769.jpg?width=3213&height=4284&name=IMG_3769.jpg)

 

They later change into their adult colors of bright yellow with bold black markings, like putting on a gala suit. This one was spotted mid-transformation.

 

![8-4](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/8-4.jpg?width=3024&height=4032&name=8-4.jpg)

 

These grasshoppers are slow movers compared to their speedy cousins, which is why in Spanish they are called *perezosos*. They prefer to bask in the morning sun and take their time exploring plants. Herbivores with a broad palate, they feed on leaves, flowers, and even young shoots from a variety of plants. While they can be found year-round in the tropics, the black nymphs usually appear from late dry season into early rainy season, which is why you can spot them on the trails right now.

A fun fact about these insects is that the adults can reach 7 to 10 centimeters in length, making them one of the largest grasshoppers in the region. From hatching to full adulthood takes about 3 to 5 months, with the black stage lasting 1 to 2 months. Their total lifespan is close to a year, which is longer than most grasshoppers. The adult stage still lasts just long enough to mate and lay eggs for the next generation, but their slow growth makes them a bit of an exception in the grasshopper world.

 

![3-Aug-11-2025-10-09-50-8183-PM](https://thedaily.lascatalinascr.com/hs-fs/hubfs/3-Aug-11-2025-10-09-50-8183-PM.jpg?width=3024&height=4032&name=3-Aug-11-2025-10-09-50-8183-PM.jpg)

 

So if you see one on your walk, whether in its nymph or adult stage, you are catching a glimpse of a brief chapter in its slow-paced but colorful life story.

## See related posts

#### Subscribe to The Blog, The Daily, The Newsletter, and more

Additionally you will receive our occasional newsletter. Absolute confidentiality. Never SPAM. You can unsubscribe at any time.