Cicada Assassin Bug vs Putnam's Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cicada Assassin Bug Putnam's Cicada
Scientific Name Pselliopus barberi Platypedia putnami
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Reduviidae Cicadidae
Size 15-20 mm 18-25 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Predators Sap Feeders
Regions North America North America
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.

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Did You Know?

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

Putnam's Cicada

A small, dark cicada found in arid pinyon-juniper woodlands of the western US. It produces quiet clicks rather than the loud buzzing of typical cicadas.

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Did You Know?

Instead of singing, males attract females by tapping their wings together to produce soft clicking sounds.