Empress Cicada vs Orange Assassin Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Empress Cicada Orange Assassin Bug
Scientific Name Pomponia imperatoria Platymeris rhadamanthus
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Cicadidae Reduviidae
Size 70 mm body, 200 mm wingspan 28-35 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Sap Feeders Predators
Regions Asia East Africa
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.

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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.

Orange Assassin Bug

A large black assassin bug with striking orange-red markings on the connexivum and legs. Found in East African forests where it hunts other arthropods. Like other Platymeris species, it can spit defensive saliva.

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Did You Know?

In captivity, it is one of the most commonly kept pet insects, valued for its dramatic coloring and fascinating predatory behavior.