Black Vine Weevil vs Periodical Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Vine Weevil Periodical Cicada
Scientific Name Otiorhynchus sulcatus Magicicada septendecim
Order Coleoptera Hemiptera
Family Curculionidae Cicadidae
Size 8-12 mm 25-33 mm
Habitat Gardens Woodlands
Diet Root Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Europe, introduced worldwide North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Black Vine Weevil

A dull black, flightless weevil that is a serious pest of ornamental plants. Adults feed at night, leaving characteristic notches on leaf margins.

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Did You Know?

Nearly all individuals are female, reproducing by parthenogenesis without mating.

Periodical Cicada

Emerges in massive synchronized broods every 17 years. Nymphs live underground feeding on tree root sap. Males produce the loudest sounds of any insect at up to 100 dB.

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Did You Know?

Periodical cicadas spend exactly 17 years underground (a prime number), and scientists believe this evolved to prevent predators from synchronizing their own cycles.