Cacama

Distant, 1904

Cactus Dodger Cicadas

Species Guides

12

Cacama is a of cicadas in the Cicadidae, commonly known as "cactus dodger cicadas." The genus contains at least 12 recognized distributed across western North America, from the southern Great Plains to California. These cicadas are notable for their association with cacti, particularly Opuntia and Cylindropuntia species, and their ability to navigate among spiny without injury. The type species, Cacama valvata, has been studied for its thermal physiology and distinctive mating .

Cacama valvata by (c) CK2AZ, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by CK2AZ. Used under a CC-BY license.Cacama valvata - Flickr - aspidoscelis (1) by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM. Used under a CC0 license.Cacama valvata - Flickr - aspidoscelis by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cacama: /kəˈkɑmə/

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Images

Habitat

Arid and semi-arid regions of western North America, including shortgrass prairies, desert scrublands, and canyonlands. Strongly associated with cactus-dominated , particularly stands of prickly pear (Opuntia spp.) and cholla (Cylindropuntia spp., especially C. imbricata). Found from low desert elevations to foothill zones, with different occupying different elevational bands.

Distribution

Western United States and northern Mexico. Ranges from Kansas and Nebraska south through Texas, westward through New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, and California. The reaches northward to Idaho, Oregon, and southeast Washington. distributions vary, with C. valvata particularly widespread across the southern Great Plains and western deserts.

Seasonality

activity occurs during the hottest months, primarily June through August. timing appears tied to rainfall patterns and summer heat; males sing during mid-day when temperatures are highest. At least one , C. valvata, shows adult emergence staggered across years rather than synchronized mass emergence.

Diet

Nymphs feed on xylem sap from roots of plants, including cacti and likely other desert vegetation. possess and have been observed feeding on plant sap, though adult feeding appears limited compared to the nymphal stage.

Host Associations

  • Opuntia spp. - Prickly pear cacti; frequently perch on pads and stems
  • Cylindropuntia imbricata - Cholla cactus; preferred for C. valvata, used for oviposition and perching
  • Prosopis spp. - Mesquite; alternative perching and possibly plant

Life Cycle

are deposited in dry, dead, skeletonized cactus stems, rarely in green tissue. Eggs may remain for extended periods, hatching after fall rainstorms wet the substrate. Nymphs drop to the ground, burrow into soil, and feed on roots for several years (development time not precisely documented but inferred to span multiple years based on related cicadas). Nymphs emerge at night, climb vertical surfaces, and to . Adults are short-lived, focusing on .

Behavior

Males produce loud, distinctive songs described as high-pitched metallic zings, intense shrills, or resembling a saw cutting wood. Singing occurs primarily during mid-day heat. Males engage in courtship singing: perched on branch ends, they produce long wavering shrills while approaching females, transitioning to shorter shrill sequences during final approach, followed by leg contact and copulation. are fast-flying, alert, and capable of landing on spiny cacti without impalement, though occasional spine injuries occur. When approached, individuals may walk backward down branches to evade detection.

Ecological Role

Nymphs function as root-feeding sap consumers, transferring nutrients from belowground to aboveground systems upon . serve as substantial prey items for specialized including cicada killer (Sphecius grandis), birds, and other . The exemplifies predator satiation through abundance in favorable years. Their loud choruses contribute to the acoustic environment of desert .

Human Relevance

Subject of entomological study, particularly for thermal physiological . Occasionally encountered by desert hikers and naturalists; loud songs contribute to regional soundscapes. No significant economic impact documented; occasional minor damage to cactus horticulture through oviposition in stems.

Similar Taxa

  • DiceroproctaCo-occurs in Sonoran Desert ; D. semicincta found at lower elevations where C. valvata occupies foothills. Diceroprocta lack the specialized cactus-dodging and thermal adaptations of Cacama.
  • TibicenBroadly sympatric annual cicadas with overlapping distributions. Tibicen typically utilize trees rather than cacti as and perching sites, and occupy different acoustic .
  • HadoaWestern North American cicadas formerly included in Tibicen; some occupy similar but lack documented cactus associations. Hadoa inaudita has been observed syntopically with Cacama.

More Details

Thermal Physiology

Cacama valvata has been studied for its remarkable heat . The white, wax-coated surface reflects intense solar radiation, functioning as a heat shield that allows activity during peak desert temperatures when other cicadas are inactive. This enables mid-day singing when risk may be reduced.

Taxonomic History

The was established by Distant in 1904. Three new (C. collinaplaga, C. moorei, C. pygmaea) were described in 2011, bringing the total to 12 recognized species. Species identification relies on male genitalia and song characteristics.

Etymology

The name derives from Cacamatzin (also spelled Cacama), a 15th-century Aztec ruler of Texcoco, the second most important city of the Aztec Empire. The connection to this historical figure is not explained in original taxonomic literature.

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