Palo Verde Root Borer Cicada vs Ant Damsel Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Palo Verde Root Borer Cicada | Ant Damsel Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Okanagana hesperia | Himacerus mirmicoides |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Cicadidae | Nabidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm | 7-8 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Gardens |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Palo Verde Root Borer Cicada
A medium-sized dark cicada found in sagebrush steppe and desert grasslands. Males call from low shrubs during the heat of summer afternoons.
Did You Know?
Its nymphs may spend up to five years underground feeding on root fluids before emerging as adults.
Ant Damsel Bug
A slender brown predatory bug whose nymphs remarkably mimic ants for protection from predators. Adults lose the ant-like appearance and become typical damsel bugs. It is a beneficial predator in European gardens and fields.
Did You Know?
The young nymphs are such convincing ant mimics that they even walk with a jerky, ant-like gait, fooling both predators and entomologists at first glance.