Periodical cicadas

Pronunciation
/per-ee-OD-i-kal sih-KAYD-as/
Category
Taxonomy
Singular
Periodical cicada
Plural
Periodical cicadas

Definition

Cicadas that emerge in cycles of 13 or 17 years.

Etymology

From the Greek 'periodos', meaning 'interval', and 'cicada', the common name for the insect.

Example

The periodical cicadas of the genus Magicicada are known for their synchronized emergence every 13 or 17 years.

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