Armoured Ground Cricket vs African Mole Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Armoured Ground Cricket African Mole Cricket
Scientific Name Acanthoplus longipes Gryllotalpa africana
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Tettigoniidae Gryllotalpidae
Size 45-60 mm 30-40 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Gardens
Diet Omnivores Root Feeders
Regions Southern Africa Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Armoured Ground Cricket

A robust flightless katydid covered in sharp spines across its thorax and legs. It is an omnivorous insect found in arid bushveld.

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Did You Know?

They are cannibalistic and will devour injured members of their own species during mass marching events.

African Mole Cricket

A widespread mole cricket found across Africa and southern Asia, common in irrigated croplands and garden soils. It is considered a significant agricultural pest in rice paddies and vegetable gardens.

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Did You Know?

In parts of Southeast Asia, mole crickets are collected and eaten as a protein-rich delicacy, fried or roasted.