Malagasy Pill Millipede Assassin Bug vs Decula Periodical Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malagasy Pill Millipede Assassin Bug Decula Periodical Cicada
Scientific Name Physorhynchus crux Magicicada septendecula
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Reduviidae Cicadidae
Size 15-22 mm 22-26 mm
Habitat Underground Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Sap Feeders
Regions Madagascar Eastern United States, co-occurring with other Magicicada species
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Malagasy Pill Millipede Assassin Bug

A dark-bodied assassin bug with a characteristic cross-shaped marking on its thorax. It has robust forelegs adapted for grasping prey and a stout curved beak for injecting venom.

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Did You Know?

It specializes in ambushing pill millipedes, using its powerful beak to penetrate their armored exoskeleton.

Decula Periodical Cicada

The smallest of the 17-year periodical cicada species with a distinctive ticking call. It is often the least abundant species within a periodical cicada brood.

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Did You Know?

It is the rarest of the three 17-year species and was not described as a separate species until 1962.