Empress Cicada vs Spined Soldier Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Empress Cicada Spined Soldier Bug
Scientific Name Pomponia imperatoria Podisus maculiventris
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Cicadidae Pentatomidae
Size 70 mm body, 200 mm wingspan 10-13 mm
Habitat Forests Gardens
Diet Sap Feeders Predators
Regions Asia Throughout North America
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.

Spined Soldier Bug

A beneficial predatory stink bug with prominent shoulder spines and a mottled brown body. It feeds on pest caterpillars and beetle larvae in gardens and agricultural fields.

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Did You Know?

It is commercially reared and sold as a biological control agent for managing pest caterpillars in agriculture.