Northern Corn Rootworm vs Variegated Grasshopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Northern Corn Rootworm Variegated Grasshopper
Scientific Name Diabrotica barberi Zonocerus variegatus
Order Coleoptera Orthoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Pyrgomorphidae
Size 4-6 mm 30-50mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Root Feeders Herbivores
Regions North America Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Northern Corn Rootworm

A pale green beetle whose larvae attack corn root systems. It can survive crop rotation by extending egg diapause for two years.

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Did You Know?

Its eggs can remain dormant in soil for over two years, defeating traditional crop rotation strategies.

Variegated Grasshopper

A brightly colored grasshopper with striking patterns of yellow, green, black, and orange. It feeds on toxic plants and sequesters the toxins for defense. It forms large aggregations.

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Did You Know?

It deliberately eats toxic plants to make itself poisonous, and its bright colors warn predators of this.