Knapweed Gall Weevil vs Grey Bush-Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Knapweed Gall Weevil Grey Bush-Cricket
Scientific Name Bangasternus fausti Platycleis albopunctata
Order Coleoptera Orthoptera
Family Curculionidae Tettigoniidae
Size 4-6 mm 16-22 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Gall Makers Seed Feeders
Regions Europe, Central Asia Western and Southern Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Knapweed Gall Weevil

A weevil that induces galls in knapweed flower heads. Larvae develop inside the enlarged flower buds. Used in biological control of invasive knapweeds in North America.

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Did You Know?

Released in North America as biocontrol for invasive spotted knapweed, which costs ranchers millions annually.

Grey Bush-Cricket

A cryptic grey-brown bush-cricket of dry coastal grasslands and chalky hillsides in Europe. It sings a brief, staccato burst of clicks during warm afternoons.

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Did You Know?

Its range in Britain is entirely coastal, restricted to warm south-facing cliff tops and undercliff grasslands.