Wart-biter Cricket vs Buck Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Wart-biter Cricket | Buck Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Decticus verrucivorus | Hemileuca maia |
| Order | Orthoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Tettigoniidae | Saturniidae |
| Size | 30-40mm | 50-75 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Mountains | Heathland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Wart-biter Cricket
A large bush-cricket with mottled green and brown coloring. Males produce a loud sustained song to attract mates. Historically used in Sweden to bite off warts.
Did You Know?
Swedish peasants historically let this cricket bite off their warts, giving it its common name.
Buck Moth
A day-flying black and white moth with a red-tipped abdomen that appears in autumn. Its spiny caterpillar delivers a painful venomous sting that causes welts and swelling.
Did You Know?
In New Orleans, falling caterpillars are a seasonal hazard, prompting public health warnings each spring.