Painted Grasshopper vs Gold Swift

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Painted Grasshopper Gold Swift
Scientific Name Poekilocerus pictus Phymatopus hecta
Order Orthoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pyrgomorphidae Hepialidae
Size 40-55 mm 25-35 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Predators Root Feeders
Regions Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Painted Grasshopper

A strikingly colorful grasshopper with bright yellow and turquoise markings found in the Indian subcontinent. Its vivid coloration warns predators of its toxicity.

💡

Did You Know?

This grasshopper sequesters toxic cardiac glycosides from the milkweed plants it eats, making it poisonous to birds and other predators.

Gold Swift

A small primitive moth with golden-brown forewings marked with silvery-white spots. Males perform hovering display flights at dusk, dangling their legs and releasing pheromones.

💡

Did You Know?

Larvae feed underground on bracken roots for two years before pupating in the soil.