Southern Mole Cricket vs Gray Bird Grasshopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southern Mole Cricket | Gray Bird Grasshopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neoscapteriscus borellii | Schistocerca nitens |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Gryllotalpidae | Acrididae |
| Size | 25-35 mm | 35-55 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | South America (native), Southern United States (invasive), Australia (invasive) | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Southern Mole Cricket
A South American mole cricket that has become an invasive turf pest in the southern United States and Australia. It tunnels through soil near the surface, severing grass roots and leaving raised trails.
Did You Know?
It can fly strongly at night and is attracted to lights, which is how it colonized new areas after its accidental introduction.
Gray Bird Grasshopper
A large, strong-flying grasshopper of arid western North America. It is closely related to the desert locust but does not form true swarms.
Did You Know?
It can fly several kilometers in a single flight, making it one of the most mobile grasshoppers in North America.