Southern Oak Bush-Cricket vs Chinese Windmill

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Southern Oak Bush-Cricket Chinese Windmill
Scientific Name Meconema meridionale Atrophaneura alcinous
Order Orthoptera Lepidoptera
Family Tettigoniidae Papilionidae
Size 11-15 mm Wingspan 75-100mm
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Southern and Western Europe (expanding northward) Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Southern Oak Bush-Cricket

A small, wingless relative of the oak bush-cricket that has rapidly spread northward across Europe, likely aided by accidental transport in vehicles. It is fully arboreal and flightless.

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Did You Know?

Being flightless, it likely spread across Europe by hitchhiking on cars and trucks parked under infested trees.

Chinese Windmill

A dark swallowtail butterfly with crimson patches on the hindwings and a slow fluttering flight. The body is red indicating toxicity.

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Did You Know?

Its slow fluttering flight resembles a windmill and advertises its toxicity acquired from poisonous aristolochia plants.