Short-horned Grasshopper vs Svalbard Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Short-horned Grasshopper Svalbard Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Phymateus morbillosus Atheta islandica
Order Orthoptera Coleoptera
Family Pyrgomorphidae Staphylinidae
Size 50-70 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Africa Iceland, Svalbard, northern Scandinavia, Greenland
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Short-horned Grasshopper

A toxic foam grasshopper that sequesters milkweed poisons and displays bright warning colors.

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Did You Know?

When attacked it exudes toxic foam from its thoracic glands.

Svalbard Rove Beetle

A tiny, dark brown rove beetle found in some of the most northerly terrestrial habitats on Earth. It shelters in bird nests and guano deposits where the microclimate is warmer. Adults are active predators of mites.

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Did You Know?

This beetle survives in the High Arctic partly by living in seabird colonies where decomposing guano generates warmth.