Mormon Cricket vs Giant Red-winged Grasshopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Mormon Cricket | Giant Red-winged Grasshopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anabrus simplex | Tropidacris cristata |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Tettigoniidae | Acrididae |
| Size | 30-50 mm | 90-120 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Farmland |
| Diet | Carrion Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | Central America, South America, Caribbean |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Mormon Cricket
A large, flightless shield-backed katydid native to western North America. Despite its name it is not a true cricket but rather a katydid.
Did You Know?
In 1848 a massive Mormon cricket outbreak threatened settler crops in Utah until flocks of California gulls arrived and devoured them, an event celebrated as the Miracle of the Gulls.
Giant Red-winged Grasshopper
One of the largest grasshoppers in the world, with a wingspan exceeding 20 cm. Its hindwings are vivid red with a dark border.
Did You Know?
At over 12 cm long, it is frequently mistaken for a small bird when it takes flight and reveals its enormous red wings.