Cicada Mania

Dedicated to cicadas, the most amazing insects in the world.

Cicadas have three types of life cycles: annual, periodical, proto-periodical.

January 30, 2022

Cicada Life Cycle

Filed under: Life Cycle — Dan @ 12:57 pm

Cicada Life Cycle
Top row, left to right: cicada egg (Roy Troutman), freshly hatched nymph (Roy Troutman), second and third instar nymphs (Elias Bonaros). Bottom row, left to right: fourth instar nymph, teneral adult, adult. (Cicada Mania).

Cicadas begin life as a rice-shaped egg, which the female deposits in a groove she makes in a tree limb, using her ovipositor. The groove provides shelter and exposes the tree fluids, which the young cicadas feed on. These grooves can kill small branches. When the branches die and the leaves turn brown, it is called flagging.

Once the cicada hatches from the egg it will begin to feed on the tree fluids. At this point, it looks like a termite or a small white ant. Once the young cicada is ready, it crawls from the groove and falls to the ground where it will dig until it finds roots to feed on. It will typically start with smaller roots of grasses and work its way up to the roots of its host tree. The cicada will stay underground from 2 to 17 years depending on the species. Cicadas are active underground, tunneling, feeding, and not sleeping or hibernating as commonly thought. Cicadas go through multiple phases, called instars, while underground. Magicicada have five instars.

After the long 2 to 17 years, cicadas emerge from the ground as nymphs. Nymphs climb the nearest available vertical surface (usually a plant) and begin to shed their nymph exoskeleton. Free of their old skin, their wings will inflate with fluid (hemolymph) and their adult skin will harden (sclerotize). Once their new wings and body are ready, they can begin their brief adult life.

Adult cicadas, also called imagoes, spend their time in trees looking for a mate. Males sing (or otherwise vibrate the air or their surroundings), females respond, mating begins, and the cycle of life begins again.

Different Types of Cicada Life Cycles

Filed under: Life Cycle — Dan @ 12:22 pm

There are three types of cicada life cycles:

Annual: Cicada species with annual life cycles emerge every year, for example, Swamp Cicadas (Neotibicen tibicen) emerge every year in the United States, and Green Grocers (Cyclochila australasiae) emerge every year in Australia.

Periodical: Cicadas species with periodical life cycles emerge together after long periods of time, for example, Magicicada septendecim will emerge every 17 years (Find out where they’ll emerge next). Magicicada periodical cicadas are organized into Broods, which correspond to the series of years in which they will emerge. Only periodical cicadas are organized by Roman-numeral Broods.

Protoperiodical: Cicada species with protoperiodical life cycles might emerge every year, but every so many years they emerge together in large numbers, like certain Okanagana depending on factors like proximity to other species and rainfall accumulations (Chatfield-Taylor 2020).

January 10, 2022

Meanwhile… Brood I

Filed under: Brood I | Periodical — Dan @ 9:44 pm

If you’re a Brood I cicada, you’re probably instar 4.

10 years ago meme (which is a thing in January of 2022):
10 year meme

October 29, 2021

The next 17 years of periodical cicadas

Filed under: Periodical | Periodical Stragglers — Dan @ 7:48 pm

In 2021, Brood X emerged in Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York (not yet extinct), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C. But, what about the next 17 years?

Top, Left to Right: cicada egg, freshly hatched nymph, second and third instar nymphs. Bottom, Left to Right: fourth instar nymph, teneral adult, adult. (Photos by Roy Troutman and Elias Bonaros).
Some stages of a Magicicada’s life cycle: Top, Left to Right: cicada egg (Troutman), freshly hatched nymph (Troutman), second and third instar nymphs (Bonaros). Bottom, Left to Right: fourth instar nymph, teneral adult, adult. (Mozgai).

Here’s a list of periodical cicada emergences for the next seventeen years, including Magicicada in the United States, Chremistica ribhoi in India, and Raiateana knowlesi in Fiji.

2022: World Cup World Cup Cicada time

No Magicicada broods will emerge. Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers.

The World Cup Cicada, Chremistica ribhoi, will emerge in India. Learn more about Chremistica ribhoi which has a 4-year cycle that synchronizes with the football/soccer World Cup.

2023: the Quiet Year

No Magicicada broods will emerge. Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers.

Enjoy your local annual cicada species.

2024: the Big Year

Two Magicicada Broods, Brood XIII and Brood XIX (the Great Southern Brood) will emerge in the United States. Brood XIII has a 17-year cycle and is found in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Brood XIX has a 13-year cycle and is found in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. That’s 19 states of periodical cicadas!

Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers elsewhere as well.

2025: Brood XIV and the Nanai in Fiji

17-year Magicicada Brood XIV will emerge is found in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Possible undocumented spurious Magicicada broods and stragglers elsewhere as well. Most likely 4-year precursors from Brood I.

A periodical cicada with an 8-year cycle will emerge in Fiji: the Nanai aka Raiateana knowlesi.

2026: Stragglers and World Cup

Some 4-year precursors/stragglers from Brood II, will “make a buzz” in the news as Brood II emerges in heavily populated areas of New Jersey and Staten Island New York. Possible undocumented spurious Magicicada broods and stragglers elsewhere as well.

The World Cup Cicada, Chremistica ribhoi, will emerge in India again. Learn more about Chremistica ribhoi. World Cup

2027: super-cool Brood 22

13-year Magicicada Brood XXII will emerge in Ohio, Kentucky, Lousiana, and Mississippi.

Some Brood III straggersvwill emerge in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. Possible undocumented spurious Magicicada broods and stragglers elsewhere as well.

2028: The Mississippi Valley Brood

13-year Magicicada Brood XXIII, the Mississippi Valley Brood, will emerge in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Lousiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Some Brood IV stragglers will emerge in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.

2029: The Shenandoah Valley Brood

17-year Magicicada Brood I, aka the Shenandoah Valley Brood, will emerge in Tennesee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Some Brood V stragglers will emerge in Long Island, New York, western Maryland, eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, most of West Virginia, and northern Virginia. Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers elsewhere.

2030: The Lesser Eastern Brood

17-year Magicicada Brood II, the Lesser Eastern Brood, will emerge in Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennslyvania, and Virginia. This brood gets a lot of attention because it emerges in heavily-populated New Jersey and Staten Island New York.

Some Brood VI stragglers will emerge in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Ohio. Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers elsewhere.

The World Cup Cicada, Chremistica ribhoi, will emerge in India. World Cup

2031: The Iowan Brood

17-year Magicicada Brood III, the Iowan Brood, will emerge in Iowa, Illnois, and Missouri.

Some Brood VII stragglers will emerge in Onondaga County, New York. Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers elsewhere.

2032: The Kansan Brood

17-year Magicicada Brood IV, the Kansan Brood, will emerge in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Some Brood VIII stragglers will emerge in eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, Hancock county West Virginia, and part of Oklahoma. Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers elsewhere.

2033: fantastic Brood 5 and the Nanai.

17-year Magicicada Brood V will emerge in Long Island, New York, western Maryland, eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, most of West Virginia, and northern Virginia.

Some Brood IX stragglers will emerge in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers elsewhere.

The Nanai aka Raiateana knowlesi will emerge in Fiji.

2034: splendid Brood 6, some Brood 10 stragglers, and the World Cup Cicada

17-year Magicicada Brood VI will emerge in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, and maybe New York (and maybe Oklahoma).

Some Brood X stragglers will emerge, typically in areas with dense populations like Princeton, NJ. Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers elsewhere.

The World Cup Cicada, Chremistica ribhoi, will emerge in India. World Cup

Dan is 65 and can retire. But retire from Cicadas?! Never!

2035: The Onondaga Brood

17-year Magicicada Brood VII will emerge in Onondaga County, New York.

Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers elsewhere.

2036: great Brood 8

17-year Magicicada Brood VIII will emerge in eastern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, Hancock county West Virginia, and part of Oklahoma.

Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers elsewhere.

2037: Brood 9, Brood 19 and some Brood 13 stragglers

17-year Magicicada Brood IX will emerge in North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.

Brood XIX has a 13-year cycle and is found in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Some Brood XIII stragglers will emerge in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers elsewhere.

2038: the Great Eastern Brood X is Back!

17-year Magicicada Brood X cicadas will emerge in Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York (not yet extinct), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington D.C.

Some Brood XIV stragglers will emerge 4 years early in Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Possible undocumented spurious broods and stragglers elsewhere.

The World Cup Cicada, Chremistica ribhoi, will emerge in India. World Cup.

July 7, 2021

Brood X Magicicada photos by Jim Occi taken in Princeton, set 6

Filed under: Brood X | Jim Occi | Magicicada | Periodical — Dan @ 4:33 am

Brood X Magicicada photos by Jim Occi taken in Princeton, set 6. 2021.

Teneral Magicicada:
Teneral Magicicada

Teneral Magicicada:
Teneral Magicicada

Magicicada septendecim that failed to completely exit its exuvia before its body hardened:
Magicicada Jim Occi

Magicicada septendecim that failed to completely exit its exuvia before its body hardened:
Magicicada Jim Occi

A pair of Magicicada septendecim:
A pair of Magicicada Jim Occi

More from Jim Occi:

Brood X Magicicada photos by Jim Occi taken in Princeton, set 5

Filed under: Brood X | Jim Occi | Magicicada | Periodical — Dan @ 4:27 am

Brood X Magicicada photos by Jim Occi taken in Princeton, set 5. 2021.

Molting Magicicada:
Molting Magicicada

Teneral Magicicada:
Teneral Magicicada

Teneral Magicicada:
Teneral Magicicada

Teneral Magicicada expanding wings:
Teneral Magicicada

Adult Magicicada with crumpled wings:
Adult Magicicada with crumpled wings

More from Jim Occi:

Brood X Magicicada photos by Jim Occi taken in Princeton, set 4

Filed under: Brood X | Jim Occi | Magicicada | Periodical — Dan @ 4:22 am

Brood X Magicicada photos by Jim Occi taken in Princeton, set 4. 2021.

A Rutgers cap in Princeton (one day Rutgers needs to get that cannon back).
R

Magicicada septendecim with exposed tymbal:
Exposed tymbal

A Magicicada with its abdomen wrecked by Massospora fungus.
Magicicada wrecked by Massospora

Magicicada exit holes:
Magicicada holes by Jim Occi

A pair of Magicicada septendecim:
A pair of Magicicada

More from Jim Occi:

Brood X Magicicada photos by Jim Occi taken in Princeton, set 3

Filed under: Brood X | Jim Occi | Magicicada | Periodical — Tags: — Dan @ 4:16 am

Brood X Magicicada photos by Jim Occi taken in Princeton, set 3. 2021.

Magicicada septendecim on finger:
Perched on finger

Teneral, newly molted Magicicada:
Teneral Magicicada

Magicicada septendecim perched on a plant stalk:
Magicicada on plant Jim Occi

A mass of Magicicada skins:
A mass of exuvia by Jim Occi

Magicicada septendecim on a leaf:
Magicicada on leaf

More from Jim:

July 3, 2021

Magicicada cassinii photos from Brood X

Filed under: Brood X | Magicicada | Periodical — Tags: , — Dan @ 10:47 pm

Here are some Magicicada cassinii photos from Brood X, 2021, Flemmington, New Jersey.

Magicicada cassinii ovipositing
Magicicada cassini ovipositing

M. cassinii taking a drink:
Taking a Drink Cassini

Examples of flagging from Brood X in Princeton

Filed under: Magicicada | Ovipositing | Periodical — Dan @ 10:13 pm

When Magicicada cicadas deposit eggs into a tree branch sometimes the branch dies, the leaves turn brown, and the branch droops like a flag. This is called flagging.

Here are some examples of flagging from the Brood X emergence in Princeton, NJ.

Typically flagging is more impactful to trees imported to North America, but it also impacts native species. The positive aspect is it prunes weaker branches, which helps the tree, and helps other plants in the shade of the tree.

If you want to learn whether eggs/larva survive flagging read FLAGGING: HOSTS DEFENCES VERSUS OVIPOSITION STRATEGIES IN PERIODICAL CICADAS (MAGICICADA SPP., CICADIDAE, HOMOPTERA) by JoAnn White. Hint: very few survive.

A small tree with flagging:
A small oak with flagging

Flagging up close:
Flagging up close

Another small tree with flagging:
Another small tree with flagging

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