Alder Spittlebug vs Minmin Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Alder Spittlebug Minmin Cicada
Scientific Name Aphrophora alni Hyalessa maculaticollis
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Aphrophoridae Cicadidae
Size 8-10 mm 33-38 mm
Habitat Woodlands Parks
Diet Sap Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Japan, Korea, Eastern China
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Alder Spittlebug

A common European spittlebug found on willows and alders. Nymphs produce copious frothy spittle masses and adults can jump impressive distances.

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Did You Know?

The frothy spittle mass protects the nymph from temperature extremes, predators, and parasitoids while also preventing desiccation.

Minmin Cicada

A Japanese cicada known as 'minminzemi' with a green and black body and transparent wings. Its distinctive 'min-min-min' call is one of the iconic sounds of Japanese summer.

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Did You Know?

Its call is so culturally significant in Japan that it is frequently used as a sound effect in anime and films to instantly establish a summer setting.