Walker's Cicada vs American Burying Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Walker's Cicada American Burying Beetle
Scientific Name Neotibicen pronotalis Nicrophorus americanus
Order Hemiptera Coleoptera
Family Cicadidae Silphidae
Size 35-45 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Wood Feeders Carrion Feeders
Regions North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Threatened

Walker's Cicada

A large cicada of the southern United States with a distinctive loud buzzing call. It prefers hot, open habitats and sings during peak afternoon heat.

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Did You Know?

It is named after the entomologist Thomas J. Walker who studied insect acoustics extensively.

American Burying Beetle

The largest carrion beetle in North America, once widespread but now reduced to less than 10% of its historic range. Both parents cooperate in burying small animal carcasses for their larvae.

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Did You Know?

Burying beetle parents are among the most devoted insect parents — both mother and father feed their larvae pre-digested carrion, respond to begging calls, and defend the brood.