Southern Oak Bush-Cricket vs Mottled Umber Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southern Oak Bush-Cricket | Mottled Umber Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Meconema meridionale | Erannis defoliaria |
| Order | Orthoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Tettigoniidae | Geometridae |
| Size | 11-15 mm | 35-45 mm wingspan (males) |
| Habitat | Forests | Orchards |
| Diet | Herbivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southern and Western Europe (expanding northward) | Europe, Western 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.
Did You Know?
Being flightless, it likely spread across Europe by hitchhiking on cars and trucks parked under infested trees.
Mottled Umber Moth
A variably patterned brown moth where males range from pale to almost black. Females are completely wingless and resemble small spiders.
Did You Know?
Wingless females attract mates by releasing pheromones from the trunk of their host tree.