Swamp Cicada vs Kissing Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Swamp Cicada | Kissing Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neotibicen tibicen | Rhodnius prolixus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Cicadidae | Reduviidae |
| Size | 30-38 mm | 15-25 mm |
| Habitat | Wetlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern and central United States | Central America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Swamp Cicada
A large dark cicada with green markings and a loud droning call heard in late summer. It is often called the morning cicada because it frequently calls during morning hours.
Did You Know?
Unlike most cicadas that call in afternoon heat, it often sings during cooler morning and evening hours.
Kissing Bug
The principal vector of Chagas disease in Latin America. Named because it bites sleeping humans near the mouth and eyes, transmitting the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite through its feces.
Did You Know?
Kissing bugs defecate while feeding on sleeping victims — the parasite in their feces enters through the bite wound, infecting up to 8 million people with Chagas disease.