Thorn-legged Stick Insect vs Cixiid Planthopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Thorn-legged Stick Insect Cixiid Planthopper
Scientific Name Aretaon asperrimus Cixius nervosus
Order Phasmatodea Hemiptera
Family Heteropterygidae Cixiidae
Size 60-85mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Asia Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Thorn-legged Stick Insect

A heavily armored stick insect covered in sharp thorns and spines across its entire body. Its brown coloring and spiny texture make it resemble thorny bark. Males are smaller and smoother than females.

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Did You Know?

Its entire body is covered in such dense thorns that it feels like a cactus and is painful to handle carelessly.

Cixiid Planthopper

A small brownish planthopper with prominently veined transparent wings. Nymphs develop underground feeding on roots, while adults are found on shrubs and tree foliage.

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Did You Know?

Cixiid planthoppers are important vectors of phytoplasma diseases affecting fruit trees, grapevines, and other crops across Europe.