Lyric Cicada vs Water Treader
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Lyric Cicada | Water Treader |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neotibicen lyricen | Mesovelia mulsanti |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Cicadidae | Mesoveliidae |
| Size | 30-38 mm | 3-4 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Eastern and Southeastern United States | Americas, from United States to South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Lyric Cicada
A medium-large cicada with a lyre-shaped marking on the dorsal thorax that gives it its name. Its call is a continuous, high-pitched whine heard from mid-summer into early fall.
Did You Know?
The name 'lyricen' refers to the lyre-shaped pattern on its mesonotum, visible when viewed from above.
Water Treader
A tiny, bright green semi-aquatic bug that walks on the surface of still waters among floating vegetation. It is widespread across the Americas and is often found on lily pads and duckweed. Both winged and wingless forms exist.
Did You Know?
It hunts by detecting the tiny ripples made by struggling prey items on the water surface, running across lily pads and open water to reach them.