Brood-xxii
Guides
Magicicada tredecim
Riley's 13-Year Cicada
Magicicada tredecim is a 13-year periodical cicada native to the southeastern and midwestern United States. It is one of four species comprising the 13-year broods, with which it emerges in synchronized mass emergences numbering up to 1.5 million individuals per acre. The species is distinguished from its close relative M. neotredecim by differences in male song pitch, female song pitch preferences, abdomen coloration, and mitochondrial DNA. Adults are characterized by reddish eyes, black dorsal thorax, and light orange or caramel-colored abdominal underside lacking dark bands. Nymphs feed on xylem sap of tree roots underground for 13 years before emerging to molt, mate, and die within four to six weeks.