Singing Water Boatman vs Masked Devil Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Singing Water Boatman Masked Devil Cicada
Scientific Name Micronecta scholtzi Cyclochila virens
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Corixidae Cicadidae
Size 2 mm 35-42 mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Woodlands
Diet Omnivores Sap Feeders
Regions Europe Eastern Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Singing Water Boatman

The loudest animal relative to body size on Earth. This 2 mm aquatic bug produces mating calls reaching 99.2 decibels by rubbing its genitalia against its abdomen.

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Did You Know?

This tiny water bug produces 99 dB of sound by stridulating with its penis — making it the loudest animal relative to body size, and earning it a Guinness World Record.

Masked Devil Cicada

A large Australian cicada with vivid green coloring and a loud, piercing call. It is closely related to the Green Grocer and can be found in similar habitats.

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Did You Know?

Australian children have created an elaborate folklore around cicada shell collecting, with different species assigned varying levels of rarity and value.