Parent Bug vs African Screaming Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Parent Bug African Screaming Cicada
Scientific Name Elasmucha grisea Brevisana brevis
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Acanthosomatidae Cicadidae
Size 6-9 mm 20-30 mm body
Habitat Heathland Grasslands
Diet Seed Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Europe, Northern Asia Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Parent Bug

A birch-feeding shieldbug remarkable for its extended maternal care behavior. Females stand guard over their egg clusters and young nymphs for weeks, shielding them with their body.

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Did You Know?

Mothers physically shield their eggs and nymphs from parasitoid wasps by spreading their body like an umbrella over them.

African Screaming Cicada

The loudest insect ever recorded, producing calls at 106.7 decibels measured at 50 cm — louder than a chainsaw. Males call to attract females from great distances.

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Did You Know?

At 106.7 decibels, the African screaming cicada is louder than a rock concert and can cause hearing damage to humans standing nearby for prolonged periods.