East Asian Pheropsophus Bombardier vs Cicada Assassin Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute East Asian Pheropsophus Bombardier Cicada Assassin Bug
Scientific Name Pheropsophus jessoensis Pselliopus barberi
Order Coleoptera Hemiptera
Family Carabidae Reduviidae
Size 15-25 mm 15-20 mm
Habitat Farmland Woodlands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Japan, Korea, eastern China, Russian Far East North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

East Asian Pheropsophus Bombardier

A large Asian bombardier beetle with an orange head and pronotum and dark blue-black elytra. It is the largest bombardier beetle in Japan and produces powerful chemical sprays.

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Did You Know?

It can spray its boiling chemical defense up to 20 centimeters with a popping sound audible from several meters away, and can fire repeatedly up to 20 times before depleting its reserves.

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.