Two-lined Spittlebug vs Swamp Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Two-lined Spittlebug Swamp Cicada
Scientific Name Prosapia bicincta Neotibicen tibicen
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Cercopidae Cicadidae
Size 8-10 mm 30-38 mm
Habitat Grasslands Wetlands
Diet Sap Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Eastern and Southern North America, Central America Eastern and central United States
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Two-lined Spittlebug

A black spittlebug with two vivid red-orange transverse bands across its wings, common in turf grasses across the southeastern United States. Large populations can cause significant damage to lawns and pastures.

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Did You Know?

Infested lawns develop a distinctive purple-striped discoloration from the toxins injected during feeding.

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.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most cicadas that call in afternoon heat, it often sings during cooler morning and evening hours.