Cicada Assassin Bug vs Large Case Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cicada Assassin Bug Large Case Moth
Scientific Name Pselliopus barberi Metura elongatus
Order Hemiptera Lepidoptera
Family Reduviidae Psychidae
Size 15-20 mm Case up to 15 cm long; male moth 2-3 cm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions North America Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

💡

Did You Know?

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

Large Case Moth

A bagworm moth whose larva builds a distinctive silk case covered in sticks and leaves. The wingless female never leaves her case, while males are small dark moths.

💡

Did You Know?

The wingless, legless adult female lives and dies inside her larval case after mating.