Armored Ground Cricket vs Bordered Plant Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Armored Ground Cricket Bordered Plant Bug
Scientific Name Acanthoplus discoidalis Largus californicus
Order Orthoptera Hemiptera
Family Tettigoniidae Largidae
Size 40-50mm 12-17 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Carrion Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Africa North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Armored Ground Cricket

A large heavily armored katydid with sharp spines on its thorax and legs. It is flightless and moves in large migratory bands. When threatened, it can squirt hemolymph from its joints.

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Did You Know?

Individuals in marching bands become cannibalistic, and those that stop moving are eaten by those behind them.

Bordered Plant Bug

A dark blue-black bug with bright orange margins common in arid parts of California. Nymphs are iridescent blue and gather in large groups.

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Did You Know?

Nymphs cluster in spectacular iridescent blue groups that can number in the hundreds on a single plant.