Carolina Anole  Anolis carolinensis   

Sometimes referred to as the American chameleon because of its ability to change color from green to brown, the Carolina anole is commonly found on the Field Station throughout the spring, summer and fall.  Anoles are medium sized lizards, 12.5–20.3 cm (4.9–8.0 inches) in length.  Much of their body length is comprised of tail.  Males tend to be larger than females and have a bright red dewlap that is three times the size of the females white one.  While often referred to as a chameleon anoles are more closely related to iguanas.  Occasionally, about one in every 20,000 individuals, a mutation occurs that reduces or eliminates xanthophores (red pigment containing cells) resulting in a blue or baby-blue individual.  Males are highly territorial and will flash their red dewlaps to warn away rival males.

The red-spotted purple is a common butterfly of the UM Field Station twice a year in May-June and August-September.  It differs from the other “dark” swallowtails in that it has orange spots along the margin of the front wings but has no tails.  The red-spotted purple belongs to the family of brush-footed butterflies and is common throughout much of the eastern United States.  Males are generally a little larger than females, otherwise the two are identical.  Red-spotted purples are active in the day, from morning until just after dusk.  Their caterpillars feed on willow, birch, cottonwood and American hornbeam.

Lubber Grasshopper Romalea microptera (Beauvois) 

The Lubber Grasshopper is a common resident of the Field Station during the late summer and early fall.  Its large size (76 mm  or about 3 inches), distinctive black coloration with bright red, orange or yellow stripes and short wings make them easily differentiated from other grasshoppers.  Flightless and weak jumpers; these insects tend to walk rather hop.  Their common name lubber is likely derived from an old English word “lobre” which means lazy or clumsy. Poor mobility and bright colors would seem to put the lubber grasshopper at risk of predation however the toxic plant material this grasshopper feed on imparts a foul and toxic flavor that most predators try to avoid.  One of the few animals reported to eat lubbers is the loggerhead shrike, which eat the grasshopper after having impaled it upon a thorn for a few days.