Decula
Guides
Magicicada septendecula
Decula Periodical Cicada
Magicicada septendecula is one of three species of 17-year periodical cicadas endemic to the eastern United States. It is typically the rarest of the three species in mixed-species populations and exhibits stronger habitat specificity than its congeners. The species prefers upland woodland habitats dominated by hickories and walnuts, particularly Carya glabra (pignut hickory), and shows a strong association with Juglandaceae host trees. First described in 1962, it has been recorded from Connecticut southward through the eastern states, with the northeastern-most record from Totoket Mountain in North Branford, Connecticut in 2013. M. septendecula is distinguished from M. septendecim by its smaller body size and hind tibial length (less than 6.3 mm versus 6.3 mm or greater). The species exhibits greater susceptibility to delayed emergence compared to other Magicicada species, which may contribute to its comparative rarity.