Okanagana

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
Infraorder: Cicadomorpha
Superfamily: Cicadoidea
Family: Cicadidae
Subfamily: Tibicininae
Tribe: Tibicinini
Genus: Okanagana

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Okanagana: /ˌoʊ.kəˈnæ.ɡə.nə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Okanagana fumipennis - Flickr - aspidoscelis (1) by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM. Used under a CC0 license.

Okanagana fumipennis - Flickr - aspidoscelis (3) by Patrick Alexander a.k.a. aspidoscelis (Flickr, iNaturalist) from Las Cruces, NM. Used under a CC0 license.

Okanagana fumipennis - Flickr - aspidoscelis (2) by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM. Used under a CC0 license.

Okanagana fumipennis - Flickr - aspidoscelis by Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM. Used under a CC0 license.

Sagebrush Cicada (Okanagana luteobasalis) on Seedskadee NWR 01 (14161105430) by USFWS Mountain-Prairie. Used under a Public domain license.

Sagebrush cicada (Okanagana luteobasalis) on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge (35280684671) by USFWS Mountain-Prairie. Used under a Public domain license.

Summary

Okanagana is a genus of cicadas within the family Cicadidae. Known for their diverse species and complex life cycles, these cicadas are often identified through their acoustic calls and careful morphological examinations. The genus was first described in 1905 and has 58 described species, primarily located in North America.

Physical Characteristics

Species range from 20-35mm in body length, with some smaller. Wingspan is approximately 50-80mm.

Identification Tips

Males should be identified using a dorsal and ventral shot, an exposed wing, and dorsal and lateral views of the uncus. Females require dorsal and ventral shots with a closeup of the female genital plates. Songs are also essential for identification, as there is little intraspecific variation, and song metrics can help distinguish species.

Habitat

Varies widely; some are host plant specific or habitat specific: O. nigriviridis (chamise), O. opacipennis, O. rubrovenosa, O. arctostaphylae (manzanita), O. villosa (subalpine), O. balli (tallgrass prairie), O. viridis (deciduous forest).

Distribution

Most speciose in California, with ranges into the Midwest and across Canada. Okanagana viridis is found in the southeastern deciduous regions of Oklahoma and Texas, while O. aurantiaca is located in Baja, although not recorded in recent history.

Diet

Specific host plants vary by species; detailed positive identification of diet by each species not provided.

Life Cycle

Average lifecycle is protoperiodical, lasting 2-5 years with variable emergences. Some species' emergence is governed by cumulative rainfall thresholds.

Reproduction

Reproductive behaviors and timing not specifically detailed, but emergence patterns are influenced by environmental conditions and rainfall.

Evolution

Recent phylogenetic studies have led to reclassification of some species into other genera including Chlorocanta, Hewlettia, and Tibicinoides.