Eastern Clytus vs Putnam's Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Eastern Clytus Putnam's Cicada
Scientific Name Clytus planifrons Platypedia putnami
Order Coleoptera Hemiptera
Family Cerambycidae Cicadidae
Size 8-15 mm 18-25 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Wood Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Eastern United States, southeastern Canada North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Eastern Clytus

A wasp-mimicking cerambycid found in the deciduous forests of eastern North America with bold yellow and black banding. It is primarily a dead oak and hickory borer. Adults emerge in midsummer and are strong fliers.

💡

Did You Know?

Multiple Clytus species co-occur in eastern forests but use different wood types, reducing competition.

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.

💡

Did You Know?

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