Cottony Cushion Scale vs Giant Malaysian Cicada
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cottony Cushion Scale | Giant Malaysian Cicada |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Icerya purchasi | Megapomponia merula |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Monophlebidae | Cicadidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm including egg sac | 65-75 mm body length |
| Habitat | Orchards | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Originally Australia, now cosmopolitan | Malaysia, Borneo, Southeast Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
Cottony Cushion Scale
A scale insect with a distinctive white fluted egg sac that devastated California's citrus industry in the 1880s. Its control by vedalia beetles was the first major success of biological pest control.
Did You Know?
The introduction of vedalia ladybirds to control it in 1889 saved the California citrus industry from collapse.
Giant Malaysian Cicada
A massive cicada from Southeast Asian rainforests, rivaling the empress cicada in size. Its deep, resonant call carries far through the forest canopy.
Did You Know?
Its wingspan can approach 20 cm, making it one of the largest flying hemipterans alive.