Empress Cicada vs Giant Twig Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Empress Cicada | Giant Twig Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pomponia imperatoria | Pseudomyrmex spinicola |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Cicadidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 70 mm body, 200 mm wingspan | 5-10 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Asia | Central America, Southern Mexico |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Empress Cicada
The largest cicada species in the world with a wingspan up to 200 mm. Found in the rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia. Its body length exceeds 70 mm.
Did You Know?
With a wingspan of 20 cm, this is the worlds largest cicada — it is so heavy that it makes an audible buzzing thump when it crashes into tree trunks while flying.
Giant Twig Ant
One of the largest acacia-ant species, nesting in the massive swollen thorns of Central American bullhorn acacias. Queens can produce enormous colonies with thousands of aggressive workers.
Did You Know?
They are so effective at protecting acacias that cattle ranchers consider them a serious hazard when clearing land.