New Zealand Cicada vs Papuan Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute New Zealand Cicada Papuan Cicada
Scientific Name Kikihia muta Baeturia conviva
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Cicadidae Cicadidae
Size 15-20 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Heathland Mountains
Diet Sap Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Oceania (New Zealand - South Island) New Guinea, Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

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.

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Did You Know?

Despite belonging to one of the noisiest insect families, this cicada is completely mute and instead communicates by vibrating plant stems.

Papuan Cicada

A cicada endemic to New Guinea, part of the most species-rich cicada genus in the region. Males produce distinct clicking or buzzing calls.

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Did You Know?

The genus Baeturia contains over 70 species, nearly all restricted to New Guinea and nearby islands.