Aquatic Pygmy Grasshopper vs Bella Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Aquatic Pygmy Grasshopper Bella Moth
Scientific Name Scelimena producta Utetheisa ornatrix
Order Orthoptera Lepidoptera
Family Tetrigidae Arctiidae
Size 12-18 mm 33-46 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Beaches & Coastal
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Southeast Asia Southeastern United States, Central and South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Aquatic Pygmy Grasshopper

A remarkable semi-aquatic pygmy grasshopper with paddle-like hind legs used for swimming. It dives and swims underwater to feed on aquatic algae.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the very few grasshoppers in the world that can swim underwater, using its flattened hind legs as paddles.

Bella Moth

A brightly colored moth with pink-orange forewings covered in white and black spots. It sequesters toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids from its host plants for chemical defense.

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Did You Know?

Males transfer protective alkaloids to females during mating, which she then deposits onto her eggs to protect them.