Giant Agave Bug vs Madagascar Spittle Bug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Agave Bug Madagascar Spittle Bug
Scientific Name Acanthocephala thomasi Bourgoinrana madagascariensis
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Coreidae Cercopidae
Size 20-30 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Heathland Meadows
Diet Sap Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions North America, Mexico Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Agave Bug

A large coreid bug from the southwestern US and Mexico that feeds on agave and cacti. Males have impressively swollen hind femora used in combat.

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Did You Know?

Males use their muscular hind legs like clubs, wrestling rival males off branches to win mating rights.

Madagascar Spittle Bug

A small, dark planthopper that produces frothy spittle masses on plant stems as a nymph. Adults are dark brown to black with subtle banded markings on the wings.

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Did You Know?

Nymphs surround themselves with a mass of frothy bubbles made from excreted xylem fluid, which protects them from desiccation and predators.