Water Measurer vs African Cicada
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Water Measurer | African Cicada |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hydrometra australis | Platypleura hirtipennis |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Hydrometridae | Cicadidae |
| Size | 8-11 mm | 35-50 mm body length |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Grasslands |
| Diet | Omnivores | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Americas, from southern United States to South America | East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Water Measurer
A very slender, elongate semi-aquatic bug that walks slowly on water surfaces in the Americas. Its head is exceptionally long and narrow with a small rostrum at the tip. It moves with slow, deliberate steps along pond margins.
Did You Know?
It is so lightweight that it can walk on the water surface without breaking the surface tension, leaving no visible dimples where its feet contact the water.
African Cicada
A large cicada with brownish wings and a stout body. Males produce a deafening chorus using specialized tymbal organs on the abdomen during the hot hours of the day.
Did You Know?
The sound of a cicada chorus can reach over 100 decibels, making them among the loudest insects in the world.