Mole Cricket with Four Dots vs Arabian Desert Grasshopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mole Cricket with Four Dots Arabian Desert Grasshopper
Scientific Name Neoscapteriscus abbreviatus Sphingonotus rubescens
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Gryllidae Acrididae
Size 19-25 mm 20-30 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Root Feeders Omnivores
Regions Southeastern United States, South America, Caribbean Africa, Middle East, Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mole Cricket with Four Dots

A short-winged mole cricket-like species from South America that has invaded the southeastern United States. Despite its small size it can damage turf grasses.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most mole crickets, its shortened wings mean it is flightless and can only spread by walking through the soil.

Arabian Desert Grasshopper

A small, sandy-colored band-winged grasshopper found across North Africa and the Middle East. Its blue hindwings are visible only in flight.

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Did You Know?

It is so well camouflaged on sand that it is virtually invisible until it takes flight and flashes its blue wings.