Spiny Leaf Insect vs Empress Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spiny Leaf Insect Empress Cicada
Scientific Name Phyllium westwoodii Pomponia imperatoria
Order Phasmatodea Hemiptera
Family Phylliidae Cicadidae
Size 70-100mm 70 mm body, 200 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Herbivores Sap Feeders
Regions Asia Asia
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Spiny Leaf Insect

A large leaf insect with a bright green flat body edged with small teeth-like spines. The female body is virtually identical to a broad green leaf. Males are smaller with functional wings for flight.

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Did You Know?

Females lay eggs that look exactly like plant seeds, and the eggs can take up to 6 months to hatch.

Empress Cicada

The largest cicada species in the world with a wingspan up to 200 mm. Found in the rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia. Its body length exceeds 70 mm.

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Did You Know?

With a wingspan of 20 cm, this is the worlds largest cicada — it is so heavy that it makes an audible buzzing thump when it crashes into tree trunks while flying.