African Cicada vs Mottled Tortoise Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Cicada | Mottled Tortoise Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Platypleura hirtipennis | Deloyala guttata |
| Order | Hemiptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Cicadidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 35-50 mm body length | 5-6 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia) | North America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Cicada
A large cicada with brownish wings and a stout body. Males produce a deafening chorus using specialized tymbal organs on the abdomen during the hot hours of the day.
Did You Know?
The sound of a cicada chorus can reach over 100 decibels, making them among the loudest insects in the world.
Mottled Tortoise Beetle
A small tortoise beetle with variable coloration, often gold with irregular black spots on the elytra. Like its relatives, it has broadly expanded margins that overhang the body.
Did You Know?
Its coloring can shift between gold and dull orange-brown depending on humidity and the beetle's physiological state.