Eastern Lubber Grasshopper vs Black Field Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Eastern Lubber Grasshopper Black Field Cricket
Scientific Name Romalea microptera Teleogryllus commodus
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Romaleidae Gryllidae
Size 50-80 mm Body 25-30 mm
Habitat Grasslands Farmland
Diet Predators Seed Feeders
Regions North America Australia, New Zealand
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Eastern Lubber Grasshopper

A large, brightly colored grasshopper with short wings that cannot fly. Its bold yellow, red, and black coloration warns predators of its toxic secretions.

💡

Did You Know?

When threatened, lubber grasshoppers secrete a foul-smelling, toxic froth from their thoracic spiracles that can sicken birds.

Black Field Cricket

A common black cricket whose chirping song is a familiar sound of Australian summer nights. It is widespread across Australia and has been introduced to New Zealand.

💡

Did You Know?

Females choose mates based on the quality and complexity of the male's chirping song.