Spotted Lanternfly vs Scissor Grinder Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spotted Lanternfly Scissor Grinder Cicada
Scientific Name Lycorma delicatula Neotibicen pruinosus
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Fulgoridae Cicadidae
Size 25 mm 33-40 mm
Habitat Forests Woodlands
Diet Sap Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Asia, North America (invasive) North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spotted Lanternfly

A colorful invasive planthopper from China threatening vineyards, orchards, and hardwood forests in North America. Adults have striking red hindwings revealed in flight.

💡

Did You Know?

Spotted lanternflies are such a threat that multiple US states have quarantine zones — citizens are legally instructed to kill any lanternfly they see on sight.

Scissor Grinder Cicada

A large North American annual cicada with a buzzing call resembling a grinding wheel. Its body is coated in a whitish waxy pruinose layer.

💡

Did You Know?

Its common name comes from the call's resemblance to the sound of a knife sharpener at work.