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Guides
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.
Cicadinae
translucent cicadas
Cicadinae is a large subfamily of cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) commonly known as the translucent cicadas. Members are typically robust with many species displaying bright coloration, though they generally lack the opaque, butterfly-like wing markings characteristic of the related subfamily Tibiceninae. The subfamily comprises multiple tribes and has undergone substantial taxonomic revision between 2010 and 2018 based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Some classification schemes merge Tibiceninae into Cicadinae partially or entirely.
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 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 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.