Periodical Cicada vs Pear Psylla
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Periodical Cicada | Pear Psylla |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Magicicada septendecim | Cacopsylla pyri |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Cicadidae | Psyllidae |
| Size | 25-33 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Orchards |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Western North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Periodical Cicada
Emerges in massive synchronized broods every 17 years. Nymphs live underground feeding on tree root sap. Males produce the loudest sounds of any insect at up to 100 dB.
Did You Know?
Periodical cicadas spend exactly 17 years underground (a prime number), and scientists believe this evolved to prevent predators from synchronizing their own cycles.
Pear Psylla
A small winged psyllid that is the most important insect pest of European pear orchards. Nymphs produce copious honeydew that causes fruit russeting and sooty mold.
Did You Know?
It can inject a toxin while feeding that causes a condition called psylla shock, which can kill young pear trees.