Australian Mole Cricket vs Greater Arid-Land Katydid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Mole Cricket Greater Arid-Land Katydid
Scientific Name Gryllotalpa pluvialis Neobarrettia spinosa
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Gryllotalpidae Tettigoniidae
Size 30-45 mm 50-65 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Heathland
Diet Root Feeders Predators
Regions Australia Southern United States, Northern Mexico
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Mole Cricket

A native Australian mole cricket that emerges from the soil in large numbers after heavy rains. It is attracted to lights on warm, wet nights.

💡

Did You Know?

Its species name pluvialis means rain-loving, referring to its habit of mass emergence after heavy downpours.

Greater Arid-Land Katydid

A large, aggressive predatory katydid from the American Southwest with powerful spiny legs. It is one of the most voracious katydid predators in North America.

💡

Did You Know?

It can bite hard enough to draw blood and will readily attack insects larger than itself.