Cave Cixiid vs Periodical Cicada
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cave Cixiid | Periodical Cicada |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oliarus polyphemus | Magicicada septendecim |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Cixiidae | Cicadidae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 25-33 mm |
| Habitat | Caves | Woodlands |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Hawaii, Big Island | North America |
| Conservation | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Cave Cixiid
A remarkable cave-adapted planthopper from Hawaiian lava tubes that has lost its eyes and wings. Its body is pale and depigmented, adapted to complete darkness.
Did You Know?
This eyeless cave-dwelling planthopper was one of the first species used to study speciation in cave systems, with different populations in separate lava tubes diverging into distinct species.
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.
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.