Saratoga Spittlebug vs Kaempfer Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Saratoga Spittlebug Kaempfer Cicada
Scientific Name Aphrophora saratogensis Platypleura kaempferi
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Aphrophoridae Cicadidae
Size 8-11 mm 22-28 mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Sap Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions North America Japan, Korea, Eastern China
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Saratoga Spittlebug

A spittlebug that is a serious pest of young red pine plantations in North America. Its feeding causes branch dieback and tree mortality.

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Did You Know?

Outbreaks in pine plantations have killed thousands of young trees, making it a significant forestry pest.

Kaempfer Cicada

A small cicada with cryptic bark-like coloration and a distinctive rattling call. It is named after the German naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer who studied Japanese natural history.

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Did You Know?

Known as 'niiniizemi' in Japan, it is one of the first cicadas to begin calling in early summer, heralding the start of the cicada season.