Chorus Cicada vs Southern Mole Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Chorus Cicada | Southern Mole Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amphipsalta zelandica | Neoscapteriscus borellii |
| Order | Hemiptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Cicadidae | Gryllotalpidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm | 25-35 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | South America (native), Southern United States (invasive), Australia (invasive) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Chorus Cicada
The most common and widespread cicada in New Zealand, producing the iconic summer chorus heard throughout the country. Nymphs spend several years underground feeding on root sap before emerging to moult into adults. Males produce their characteristic song using tymbal organs.
Did You Know?
The chorus cicada's distinctive whirring call is so emblematic of New Zealand summers that it has become a cultural symbol of the season.
Southern Mole Cricket
A South American mole cricket that has become an invasive turf pest in the southern United States and Australia. It tunnels through soil near the surface, severing grass roots and leaving raised trails.
Did You Know?
It can fly strongly at night and is attracted to lights, which is how it colonized new areas after its accidental introduction.