Southern Mole Cricket vs Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southern Mole Cricket | Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neoscapteriscus borellii | Tetrix ornata |
| Order | Orthoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Gryllotalpidae | Tetrigidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Omnivores |
| 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.
Ornate Pygmy Grasshopper
A tiny, intricately patterned groundhopper found on bare sandy soils in North American prairies and open woodlands. Its flattened, cryptic body blends perfectly with gravel and dry soil surfaces.
Did You Know?
When disturbed it can leap into a short flight that ends with a tumbling landing, making it very hard to track.