THE BIOLOGY ZONE
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Periodical Cicada


Picture showing the wrinkled, undried wings of the new adult.
Shed skin of nymph
Picture showing fungus
Picture showing fungus
The Periodical Cicada (Magicicada spp.) are well known for their long periods of absence in which they remain underground in their nymph stage. These cicada have 2 typical patterns: 13 years or 17 years between emergences.

​The periodical cicada is unique in that, when they do emerge, all individuals within a given geographic area emerge within a very brief period of time. The Periodical Cicada is found only in eastern North America. There are 7 species in all: 3 with a 17-year cycle and 4 with a 13-year cycle. If you would like much more detailed information along with times and locations of specific emergences, visit the Periodical Cicada Project.

The photos above were taken on May 8, 2008 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They appear to be all Magicicada septendecim. This is just one of those cases where I was in the right place at the right time. I happened upon them on the day they first emerged and their wings had not yet fully dried.

The Magicicada septendecim is distinguished by its broad orange stripes on the underside of the abdomen. It also has an orange-reddish patch behind the eye but in front of where the wing attaches. There is another 17-year cicada, Magicicada septendecula, that has orange stripes on the abdomen, but no orange patch behind the eye.

There is also a fungus that times its emergence with its host. Above, you'll see some photos of where the fungus has attacked the abdomen of one individual. This fungus ultimately causes the abdomen to detach which ultimately kills the cicada before it can reproduce.

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  • Home
  • Animals
    • Birds >
      • Avian Taxonomy
      • Bird Species Profiles
    • Mammal Species Profiles
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians >
      • Frog and Toad Species Profiles
    • Fish
    • Arthropods >
      • Arthropod Species Profiles
  • Plants
    • Native Plant Societies
    • Eastern Plant Identification Guide
  • Fungi
    • Fungi Species Profiles
  • Protists
  • Nature Products Store
  • Cell Phone Ringtones
  • Madbird Feeder Cam
  • Ramblings of the Madbird Biologist
  • Bird Videos
  • News in Science
  • Nature Inspired Recipes
  • An Introduction to Scientific Classification and Naming
  • Birds in the Classroom
  • Resources
  • About Me