Feather-Legged Assassin Bug vs Malagasy Mottled Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Feather-Legged Assassin Bug Malagasy Mottled Cicada
Scientific Name Ptilocnemus lemur Yanga argyrea
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Reduviidae Cicadidae
Size 10-14 mm 35-45 mm
Habitat Heathland Forests
Diet Omnivores Sap Feeders
Regions Australia Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Feather-Legged Assassin Bug

An Australian assassin bug with bizarre feathery hind legs used to lure ant prey. It waves its feathered legs near ant trails to attract victims.

💡

Did You Know?

It dangles its feathery hind legs like fishing lures to attract ants, which it then seizes and devours.

Malagasy Mottled Cicada

A silvery-gray cicada with mottled wing patterns that provide excellent camouflage against tree bark. Males produce a distinctive metallic buzzing song.

💡

Did You Know?

Its species name 'argyrea' means silvery, referring to the fine silvery scales that cover its body and wings.