Chinch Bug vs Polynesian Cicada
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Chinch Bug | Polynesian Cicada |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Blissus leucopterus | Raiateana oulietea |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Blissidae | Cicadidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 25-35 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Farmland |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | North America | French Polynesia, Pacific Islands |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
Chinch Bug
A tiny black and white bug that is one of the most destructive pests of cereal crops and lawn grasses in North America. Adults have distinctive white wings folded flat over the back. Large populations can kill entire swathes of turf grass.
Did You Know?
In the late 1800s, massive outbreaks destroyed so much wheat in the Great Plains that farmers built tar-filled trenches across fields to trap migrating chinch bug armies.
Polynesian Cicada
An island-endemic cicada found in French Polynesia with a slender dark body and clear wings. Its buzzing call can be heard across the volcanic island valleys.
Did You Know?
Island cicadas like this one often evolve unique calls on each island, contributing to speciation across archipelagos.