Provencal Cicada vs Sumac Flea Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Provencal Cicada Sumac Flea Beetle
Scientific Name Lyristes plebejus Blepharida rhois
Order Hemiptera Coleoptera
Family Cicadidae Chrysomelidae
Size 36-42 mm 6-8 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Sap Feeders Herbivores
Regions Southern Europe, Mediterranean Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Provencal Cicada

A large European cicada iconic to the Mediterranean region, especially Provence. Its loud continuous song is a defining sound of southern French summers.

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Did You Know?

It is such a cultural symbol of Provence that ceramic cicada ornaments are sold as souvenirs across the region.

Sumac Flea Beetle

A relatively large flea beetle with a mottled brown and tan pattern providing excellent camouflage on sumac bark. Despite its size, it retains the powerful jumping ability of flea beetles.

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Did You Know?

Larvae of this beetle carry a shield of their own excrement mixed with toxic compounds from their sumac host plant.