Reed Beetle vs Periodical Cicada
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Reed Beetle | Periodical Cicada |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Donacia crassipes | Magicicada septendecim |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Chrysomelidae | Cicadidae |
| Size | 9-12 mm | 25-33 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Woodlands |
| Diet | Root Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Reed Beetle
A striking aquatic leaf beetle with metallic golden-green to coppery elytra and elongated hind legs. It is one of the largest European Donacia species, found on waterlily pads.
Did You Know?
Larvae live entirely underwater, tapping into plant roots for both food and oxygen, using specialized spiracles to breathe air from root aerenchyma.
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.