Arabian Desert Grasshopper vs Foam Grasshopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arabian Desert Grasshopper Foam Grasshopper
Scientific Name Sphingonotus rubescens Dictyophorus spumans
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Acrididae Pyrgomorphidae
Size 20-30 mm 50-80 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Heathland
Diet Omnivores Herbivores
Regions Africa, Middle East, Europe Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Arabian Desert Grasshopper

A small, sandy-colored band-winged grasshopper found across North Africa and the Middle East. Its blue hindwings are visible only in flight.

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Did You Know?

It is so well camouflaged on sand that it is virtually invisible until it takes flight and flashes its blue wings.

Foam Grasshopper

A large black and red grasshopper that produces a foul-smelling toxic foam when disturbed. It is one of Africa's most recognizable grasshoppers.

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Did You Know?

The toxic foam it produces from its thoracic glands contains cardiac glycosides concentrated from the milkweeds it eats.