New Zealand Cicada vs Eight-spotted Jewel Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Cicada | Eight-spotted Jewel Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Kikihia muta | Castiarina octospilota |
| Order | Hemiptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Cicadidae | Buprestidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 8-13 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand - South Island) | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
New Zealand Cicada
A small endemic cicada from New Zealand notable for being silent - it has lost the ability to produce sound. It communicates through substrate vibrations transmitted through plant stems instead. This species represents a unique evolutionary path among cicadas.
Did You Know?
Despite belonging to one of the noisiest insect families, this cicada is completely mute and instead communicates by vibrating plant stems.
Eight-spotted Jewel Beetle
A compact jewel beetle with eight distinctive pale spots arranged on dark metallic elytra. It is an active flower visitor in spring and summer.
Did You Know?
Despite its small size, each spot on its wing covers is perfectly symmetrical between left and right sides.