Sunday, October 06, 2013 9:52:03 PM
The Daily Bucket: Why does the Horse Lubber cross the road?
The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place for the Dkos community members to note any observations they have made of the world around them. Insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds and flowers are worthy additions to the bucket. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located in the comments. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unfolding around us.
Bisbee, Arizona
When summer rolls into fall, you may notice the leaves color changing or the birds flocking in preparation for migration. In my part of the country, the transition is marked by grasshoppers littering the county roads. Judging their ambling traveling speed, it doesn't appear that they understand the risk they are embarking. Even nature loving motorists find that it is impossible to accommodate them the right of way. I adjust my heart and mind to the fact that causalities are inevitable.
The most numerous and visible grasshopper on the road is the Horse Lubber Taeniopoda eques. From the driver's seat, they are easily recognized by their size, jet black color and unique profile. The Arabian horse-like curve of the neck might explain the origin of it's name. Eques is the Latin term for knight while the definition for lubber is a big, clumsy, stupid person. It may appear to us that the horse lubber is stupid to hang out on the road amongst dozens of his flattened comrades but there are some interesting facts about its adaptation to the desert seasons that might explain this behavior.
Hop over the flattened orange grasshopper to learn more about the western Horse Lubber.
On closer inspection, the Horse Lubber grasshopper is brightly decorated with yellow pin striping and delicately patterned laced wings. The black surface actually reflects tiny flecks of iridescent colors. Even though the vernacular lubber actually refers to the flightless Romaleinae subfamily, the Horse Lubber has rosy colored wings used for short bursts of flight.
Just like the Spadefoots, the desert climate forces the Horse Lubber's development to be quick. In this case, the Horse Lubber's life cycle needs to be completed between the start of the summer rains and the late fall freezes. Thermoregulation is a crucial part of the Horse Lubber's approach for survival in the Chihuahuan desert. By maintaining optimal body temperature of 86 to 104 degrees, its metabolism increases the speed of the larva development and maximizes its growth. Their ability to molt depends on body temperatures between 77-97 degrees. The Horse Lubber has an interesting approach to regulate its body temperature. To maximize heat gain it positions itself perpendicular to the sun. Not only that, but it also stretches out its sun facing hind leg, folds up the shaded hind leg, and lowers its abdomen to reduce wing shading. To prevent overheating, they jump to the centers of tall bushes to seek the dappled shade and to sway in the refreshing breeze.
By this time of year, the Horse Lubber has reached its full mature size at about 2.5 inches. To reach that size, they typically feed on foliage and flowers. I have taken note that they especially enjoy eating the rain lilies and tufted primrose in my garden. Known to be polyphagous, carrion is incorporated in their diet including cannibalism. It is thought that the females, the larger of the sexes, scavenge for added protein and nutrients to increase her odds to reproduce.
In addition to their impressive size, they have a multi-sensory defense system to deter predators. Physical displays including a threatening posture and a flash of their deep rose wings signal a toxic meal. If they are provoked enough they spray an odorous repellent that envelopes the perpetrator. If eaten they cause vomiting or even death. It is no wonder that they sit confidently on the road. Unfortunately their sophisticated physical and chemical defense systems is useless against a 4,000 lb. vehicle traveling at 60+ mph.
Why does the Horse Lubber cross the road? To eat the flattened grasshopper who was trying to cross the road to eat the flattened grasshopper who was trying to cross the road . . . . .
Other than the solar and the epicurean attraction of the tarmac, occasionally Horse Lubbers are escorted across the road, albeit unwillingly, and delivered to my front doorstep.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/05/1241396/-The-Daily-Bucket-Why-does-the-Horse-Lubber-cross-the-road?showAll=yes
The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place for the Dkos community members to note any observations they have made of the world around them. Insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds and flowers are worthy additions to the bucket. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located in the comments. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unfolding around us.
Bisbee, Arizona
When summer rolls into fall, you may notice the leaves color changing or the birds flocking in preparation for migration. In my part of the country, the transition is marked by grasshoppers littering the county roads. Judging their ambling traveling speed, it doesn't appear that they understand the risk they are embarking. Even nature loving motorists find that it is impossible to accommodate them the right of way. I adjust my heart and mind to the fact that causalities are inevitable.
The most numerous and visible grasshopper on the road is the Horse Lubber Taeniopoda eques. From the driver's seat, they are easily recognized by their size, jet black color and unique profile. The Arabian horse-like curve of the neck might explain the origin of it's name. Eques is the Latin term for knight while the definition for lubber is a big, clumsy, stupid person. It may appear to us that the horse lubber is stupid to hang out on the road amongst dozens of his flattened comrades but there are some interesting facts about its adaptation to the desert seasons that might explain this behavior.
Hop over the flattened orange grasshopper to learn more about the western Horse Lubber.
On closer inspection, the Horse Lubber grasshopper is brightly decorated with yellow pin striping and delicately patterned laced wings. The black surface actually reflects tiny flecks of iridescent colors. Even though the vernacular lubber actually refers to the flightless Romaleinae subfamily, the Horse Lubber has rosy colored wings used for short bursts of flight.
Just like the Spadefoots, the desert climate forces the Horse Lubber's development to be quick. In this case, the Horse Lubber's life cycle needs to be completed between the start of the summer rains and the late fall freezes. Thermoregulation is a crucial part of the Horse Lubber's approach for survival in the Chihuahuan desert. By maintaining optimal body temperature of 86 to 104 degrees, its metabolism increases the speed of the larva development and maximizes its growth. Their ability to molt depends on body temperatures between 77-97 degrees. The Horse Lubber has an interesting approach to regulate its body temperature. To maximize heat gain it positions itself perpendicular to the sun. Not only that, but it also stretches out its sun facing hind leg, folds up the shaded hind leg, and lowers its abdomen to reduce wing shading. To prevent overheating, they jump to the centers of tall bushes to seek the dappled shade and to sway in the refreshing breeze.
By this time of year, the Horse Lubber has reached its full mature size at about 2.5 inches. To reach that size, they typically feed on foliage and flowers. I have taken note that they especially enjoy eating the rain lilies and tufted primrose in my garden. Known to be polyphagous, carrion is incorporated in their diet including cannibalism. It is thought that the females, the larger of the sexes, scavenge for added protein and nutrients to increase her odds to reproduce.
In addition to their impressive size, they have a multi-sensory defense system to deter predators. Physical displays including a threatening posture and a flash of their deep rose wings signal a toxic meal. If they are provoked enough they spray an odorous repellent that envelopes the perpetrator. If eaten they cause vomiting or even death. It is no wonder that they sit confidently on the road. Unfortunately their sophisticated physical and chemical defense systems is useless against a 4,000 lb. vehicle traveling at 60+ mph.
Why does the Horse Lubber cross the road? To eat the flattened grasshopper who was trying to cross the road to eat the flattened grasshopper who was trying to cross the road . . . . .
Other than the solar and the epicurean attraction of the tarmac, occasionally Horse Lubbers are escorted across the road, albeit unwillingly, and delivered to my front doorstep.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/05/1241396/-The-Daily-Bucket-Why-does-the-Horse-Lubber-cross-the-road?showAll=yes
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