Mole Cricket with Four Dots vs Hildebrand's Jewel Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mole Cricket with Four Dots | Hildebrand's Jewel Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neoscapteriscus abbreviatus | Sternocera hildebrandti |
| Order | Orthoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Gryllidae | Buprestidae |
| Size | 19-25 mm | 30-50 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Southeastern United States, South America, Caribbean | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia) |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Unlike most mole crickets, its shortened wings mean it is flightless and can only spread by walking through the soil.
Hildebrand's Jewel Beetle
A large, robust jewel beetle with a deep metallic green body covered in fine punctures. It emerges in large numbers after seasonal rains in semi-arid areas.
Did You Know?
Its metallic coloration is so vivid that dead specimens retain their brilliance for decades, making them prized by collectors.