Euphorbia Flea Beetle vs Australian Mole Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Euphorbia Flea Beetle Australian Mole Cricket
Scientific Name Aphthona euphorbiae Gryllotalpa pluvialis
Order Coleoptera Orthoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Gryllotalpidae
Size 2-3 mm 30-45 mm
Habitat Grasslands Rivers & Streams
Diet Root Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Europe Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Euphorbia Flea Beetle

A tiny bronze flea beetle that feeds on spurge plants. Used as a highly effective biological control agent for leafy spurge in North America. Larvae feed on spurge roots.

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Did You Know?

Released in North America, it became one of the most successful biocontrol programs for the invasive leafy spurge.

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.

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Did You Know?

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