Periodical Cicada
Other Name(s): Cicada; Seventeen Year Cicada
Characteristics: The Periodical Cicada is generally more well known in the Midwest as the Seventeen Year Cicada due to their periodical emergence every thirteen or seventeen years. Cicadas during this time can appear in the hundreds, if not thousands, as mating season commences. These collections - called "Broods" - produce many molted body shells and periods of high-pitched screeching calls produced by the male.
Cicadas are large insects coming in around 25mm to 60mm (up to 77mm with the wings extended). Though generally paired with locusts in some sources, Cicadas choose to fly instead of jump from place to place. The male is the part of the species that contains the sound producing organs common during the summer months and it is interesting to note that different species of Cicada each produce their own distinct sound.
Cicadas appear black to brown and sometimes a brown-red. Some areas of yellow may also be seen. The series is highly identifiable by their huge eyes and large, plump bodies. Though Cicadas are generally found in forested areas and grasslands, the species can become a common sight (and sound) in neighborhoods.
A common sight throughout the Eastern United States from the Mississippi River onwards, Cicadas have a reach consisting of the Great Lakes down to the Gulf of Mexico - though the density of the Cicada population varies from area to area.
Females will insert eggs into a tree branch or bark with the hatched nymphs eventually making their way down through the tree into the root system. Total maturity time of the nymph is about 13 to 17 years (hence the “periodical” designation) eventually surfacing and molting its early exoskeleton. Now achieving adulthood and strength in numbers during these times, the Cicadas can go about luring and mating as needed.
Identifying Colors: green; black; silver; red; yellow
North American reach includes (may not be limited to): Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Delaware, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Conecticut, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa
Category: Cicada and Similar
Common Name: Periodical Cicada
Scientific Name: (Magicicada spp.)
 Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Homoptera
Family: Cicadidae
Genus: Magicicada
Species: spp.
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