New Zealand Cicada vs Minmin Cicada
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | New Zealand Cicada | Minmin Cicada |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Kikihia muta | Hyalessa maculaticollis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Cicadidae | Cicadidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 33-38 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Parks |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand - South Island) | Japan, Korea, Eastern China |
| 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.
Minmin Cicada
A Japanese cicada known as 'minminzemi' with a green and black body and transparent wings. Its distinctive 'min-min-min' call is one of the iconic sounds of Japanese summer.
Did You Know?
Its call is so culturally significant in Japan that it is frequently used as a sound effect in anime and films to instantly establish a summer setting.