Water Scorpion vs Mountain Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Water Scorpion Mountain Cicada
Scientific Name Nepa cinerea Cicadetta montana
Order Hemiptera Hemiptera
Family Nepidae Cicadidae
Size 18-22 mm 20-26 mm body length
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Mountains
Diet Omnivores Sap Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Europe, British Isles, Central Asia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

Water Scorpion

A flat aquatic bug that lurks in shallow water resembling a dead leaf. It breathes through a long tail-like siphon that breaks the water surface.

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Did You Know?

Despite its name and scorpion-like raptorial forelegs, the water scorpion is a weak swimmer and instead ambushes prey from vegetation.

Mountain Cicada

One of the few cicadas found at high elevations in Europe. Males produce a high-pitched continuous song from treetops.

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Did You Know?

Its song is so high-pitched that many people cannot hear it.