Puss Moth vs Foam Grasshopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Puss Moth Foam Grasshopper
Scientific Name Cerura vinula Dictyophorus spumans
Order Lepidoptera Orthoptera
Family Notodontidae Pyrgomorphidae
Size 58-80 mm wingspan 50-80 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Heathland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, Asia Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Puss Moth

A furry white moth whose caterpillar has whip-like tail filaments and sprays formic acid.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar can shoot a jet of formic acid from a gland behind its head.

Foam Grasshopper

A large black and red grasshopper that produces a foul-smelling toxic foam when disturbed. It is one of Africa's most recognizable grasshoppers.

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Did You Know?

The toxic foam it produces from its thoracic glands contains cardiac glycosides concentrated from the milkweeds it eats.