Foam Grasshopper vs Excavated Rove Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Foam Grasshopper | Excavated Rove Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dictyophorus spumans | Omalium excavatum |
| Order | Orthoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Pyrgomorphidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 50-80 mm | 3-4 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Gardens |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southern Africa | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Foam Grasshopper
A large black and red grasshopper that produces a foul-smelling toxic foam when disturbed. It is one of Africa's most recognizable grasshoppers.
Did You Know?
The toxic foam it produces from its thoracic glands contains cardiac glycosides concentrated from the milkweeds it eats.
Excavated Rove Beetle
A small, brownish omaline rove beetle with distinctive excavations on the pronotum. It frequents decaying vegetation and is particularly associated with compost heaps and grass clippings.
Did You Know?
This species thrives in the heat-generating centers of compost heaps, tolerating temperatures that would be lethal to many other insects.