Cicada Assassin Bug vs Japanese Giant Water Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cicada Assassin Bug Japanese Giant Water Bug
Scientific Name Pselliopus barberi Lethocerus deyrolli
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Reduviidae Belostomatidae
Size 15-20 mm 48-65 mm
Habitat Woodlands Ponds & Lakes
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America East Asia, Japan
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Cicada Assassin Bug

A colorful orange and black assassin bug that specializes in hunting cicadas. It uses its powerful raptorial forelegs and venomous bite to subdue large prey.

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Did You Know?

It detects cicada prey primarily through the vibrations cicadas produce when calling for mates.

Japanese Giant Water Bug

Known as 'ta-garame' in Japanese, this is one of Japan's largest aquatic insects. A fearsome ambush predator that can catch small fish and frogs. Has declined dramatically due to habitat loss.

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Did You Know?

Males of this species guard the eggs, which the female glues to emergent vegetation above water, by periodically climbing up to moisten them.