Cassini Periodical Cicada vs Window Gnat
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cassini Periodical Cicada | Window Gnat |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Magicicada cassini | Sylvicola fenestralis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Diptera |
| Family | Cicadidae | Anisopodidae |
| Size | 24-28 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern United States, overlapping with other Magicicada species | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cassini Periodical Cicada
A 17-year periodical cicada distinguished from related species by its all-black underside and distinctive buzzing call. It often emerges alongside M. septendecim in the same broods.
Did You Know?
Its call sounds like a rapid series of ticks followed by a buzz, distinctly different from the pharaoh-like drone of its sibling species.
Window Gnat
A small, delicate fly with dark-spotted wings often found resting on windows and walls. Larvae develop in fermenting organic matter and tree sap runs.
Did You Know?
Despite being one of the most commonly encountered flies on windows throughout Europe, this species remains largely unstudied and overlooked by entomologists.