Decim-group
Guides
Magicicada neotredecim
Neotredecim Periodical Cicada
Magicicada neotredecim is a 13-year periodical cicada discovered in 1998 and formally described in 2000, making it the most recently described species in the genus. It was identified when scientists detected a bimodal split in male calling song frequencies during the Brood XIX emergence, revealing two sympatric species where only one had been recognized. The species is most closely related to the 17-year Magicicada septendecim, sharing similar abdominal coloration and song characteristics, differing primarily in life cycle length.
Magicicada septendecim
Pharaoh cicada, 17-year locust, Decim periodical cicada
Magicicada septendecim is the largest and most northern species of 17-year periodical cicada, native to eastern North America. Adults emerge in massive synchronized broods after 17 years underground as nymphs feeding on tree root xylem. The species is distinguished by broad orange stripes on the underside of the abdomen, orange patches on the thorax, reddish eyes and wing veins, and a black dorsal thorax. Males produce a high-pitched mating call described as "weeeee-whoa" or "Pharaoh." Together with the 13-year species M. neotredecim and M. tredecim, it forms the "decim" group of periodical cicadas.
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.