Periodical-cicada
Guides
Cicadettini
True Largeclasper Cicadas
Cicadettini is a large tribe of cicadas within the family Cicadidae, comprising at least 110 genera and over 520 described species. Members are distributed worldwide except for the Neotropics, with notable radiations in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Palearctic. The tribe includes diverse ecological specialists, from grassland inhabitants to species associated with seasonal riverine floodplains. Many species produce species-specific acoustic signals used for mate recognition.
Cicadidae
Typical Cicadas, True Cicadas
Cicadidae is one of two families in the superfamily Cicadoidea, containing approximately 3,400 species in over 520 genera worldwide. Members are characterized by membranous wings, triangular arrangements of three ocelli on the head, short bristle-like antennae, and acoustic communication using tymbals. The family includes both annual species with staggered emergence patterns and periodical species with synchronized multi-year life cycles. Cicadidae is distinguished from its sister family Tettigarctidae by more efficient sound-producing mechanisms.
Magicicada
Periodical Cicadas
Magicicada is a genus of periodical cicadas found in eastern North America, comprising seven species that emerge in synchronized mass events after 13- or 17-year underground development periods. These cicadas are among the longest-lived insects, spending nearly their entire lives as nymphs feeding on tree root xylem before emerging to molt, mate, and die within weeks. The genus is famous for its prime-numbered periodicity, predator satiation strategy, and the formation of distinct geographic broods that emerge on different schedules.
Magicicada cassinii
Cassin's periodical cicada, dwarf periodical cicada
Magicicada cassinii is one of three species of 17-year periodical cicadas endemic to eastern North America. Adults emerge synchronously every 17 years in massive broods, with males producing distinctive calling songs peaking at 4-7 kHz. The species is morphologically indistinguishable from the 13-year Magicicada tredecassini, and the two are collectively referred to as 'cassini-type' periodical cicadas. Males are notable for their ability to synchronize courting behavior, creating choruses of tens of thousands of individuals.
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 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.
Magicicada tredecassini
Cassin's 13-Year Cicada, tredecassini periodical cicada
Magicicada tredecassini is a 13-year periodical cicada endemic to the United States. It is morphologically indistinguishable from the 17-year species Magicicada cassini, and the two are collectively referred to as 'cassini-type' or 'cassini periodical cicadas.' Males of this species exhibit distinctive synchronized courting behavior, with tens of thousands singing and flying in unison. It is one of four species comprising Brood XIX, the largest 13-year brood by geographic extent.
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.
Magicicada tredecula
Little 13-Year Cicada
Magicicada tredecula is a periodical cicada endemic to the United States that emerges every thirteen years as part of synchronized broods. It is one of four species comprising Brood XIX, the Great Southern Brood, and is typically the least common among the 13-year Magicicada species in most areas where it occurs. Adults are active for four to six weeks, during which they mate and females lay eggs in tree branches before dying.