Cicada Mania

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

Genera of cicadas.

March 7, 2020

Magicicada Nymphs found by Elias, part 1

Filed under: Elias Bonaros | Magicicada | Nymphs | Periodical — Dan @ 5:50 am

Have you every wondered what cicadas look like when they’re underground? Elias Bonaros did some digging and took these photos of first and second instar Magicicada periodical cicadas on a warm winter day (March 21, 2010). Magicicadas have 5 instars, or phases of development. Each phase has a slightly different appearance.

This is a probable second instar nymph of Magicicada septendecim (Periodical cicada) from the 2008 Brood XIV emergence. Dug up from beneath an oak tree. It was living approximately 4-6 inches from the ground surface. Temperature 70 degrees.

Elias cicada nymph

These are probable first and second instar nymphs of Magicicada septendecim (Periodical cicada) from the 2008 Brood XIV emergence. Dug up from beneath an oak tree. They were living approximately 4-6 inches from the ground surface. Temperature 70 deg.

Elias Magicicada nymphs

March 2, 2020

Male Neotibicen tibicen molting

Filed under: Cryptotympanini | Molting | Neotibicen — Tags: — Dan @ 7:39 pm

Male Neotibicen tibicen molting. Other names for this cicada include: Morning Cicada, Swamp Cicada and formerly Tibicen chloromera or chloromerus.

March 1, 2020

More of Joe Green’s Neocicada hieroglyphica photos from 2007, Florida

Filed under: Cicadini | Joe Green | Neocicada — Tags: — Dan @ 7:54 pm

Joe Green’s Neocicada hieroglyphica photos from 2007, Florida, part 2:

Joe Green’s Neocicada hieroglyphica photos from 2007, Florida

Filed under: Cicadini | Joe Green | Neocicada — Tags: — Dan @ 7:48 pm

Joe Green’s Neocicada hieroglyphica photos from 2007, Florida, part 1:

Okanagana rimosa exuvia photos by Elias Bonaros

Filed under: Elias Bonaros | Exuvia | Okanagana | Tibicinini — Tags: — Dan @ 9:45 am

Okanagana rimosa exuvia (skins, shells) photos by Elias Bonaros. From 2010, I believe.

Note the dark lines on the abdomen — that’s an easy way to distinguish Okanagana exuvia from other types of cicadas.

Side view

dorsal view

Orange Drummer (Thopha colorata) photos by Jodi

Filed under: Australia | Photos & Illustrations | Thopha | Thophini — Tags: — Dan @ 9:34 am

Orange Drummer (Thopha colorata) photos by Jodi from 2007. Australia.

Text for the photos from back in 2007: “Thanks to Jodi for allowing us to post some of her Orange Drummer (Thopha colorata) photos. Two today, two tomorrow! Apparently they’re hatching in droves in Central Australia.”

A molting Orange Drummer (Thopha colorata):
Molting T. colorata

Orange Drummer (Thopha colorata):
Orange Drummer (Thopha colorata)

Teneral, recently molted Orange Drummer (Thopha colorata):
Teneral Orange Drummer (Thopha colorata)

Teneral, recently molted Orange Drummer (Thopha colorata):
Orange Drummer (Thopha colorata)

My Neotibicen photos from 2004

Filed under: Cryptotympanini | Neotibicen — Tags: — Dan @ 9:20 am

My Neotibicen photos from 2004.

As I reupload all the images on my website, even the horrible low-rez images will be reuploaded. Why? It’s my website, and I like them.

This photo isn’t so bad. It’s Neotibicen exuvia (skins, shells) surrounding a coin:
Cicada skins

This photo is blurry, but there’s a Neotibicen tibicen (formerly Tibicen chloromera) in the shot.
Neotibicen tibicen

Another blurry photo. This shows a Neotibicen tibicen with wings damaged during the molting process.
Neotibicen tibicen with damaged wings

My Magicicada photos from 1996, Brood II

Filed under: Brood II | Magicicada | Photos & Illustrations — Dan @ 9:10 am

My Magicicada photos from 1996, Brood II. These were taken with disposable cameras and scanned in with a flatbed scanner also from the 1990s. They’re mostly from Metuchen NJ. Otherwise they’re from Westfield NJ.

At this point in time I was not as interested in cicadas as I am now. Back in 1996 they were more of a novelty, but over time my obsession grew.

Magicicada adults in a jar:
Magicicadas in a jar

Magicicada in a jar

Magicicada exuvia in a jar:
Magicicada exuiva in a jar

Scenes from a cicada wedding:

My friends David & Claire were married in an outdoor wedding ceremony in Westfield, NJ, at the peak of the Brood II emergence. No one freaked out — in fact everyone seemed to enjoy it, especially the kids.

The bride and groom, Claire and David:
David & Claire

A cicada creeping up a wedding chair leg during the ceremony:
A cicada creeping up a wedding chair leg during the ceremony

Video from the wedding:

I was even calling them “locusts” back then. Gee wiz.

My Magicicada Photos from 2004, Brood X

Filed under: Brood X | Magicicada | Photos & Illustrations — Dan @ 8:59 am

My Magicicada Photos from 2004, Brood X. These were taken in Princeton, New Jersey, with a home video camera. Princeton is a “hot spot” for Brood X in New Jersey. They’re usually out during the Princeton University graduation ceremonies, which is a nuisance for both graduates & their families and for people who come to see the cicadas (and could care less about the graduates). Interestingly enough, the Princeton colors (orange & black) closely match the colors of the cicadas.

Magicicada on a tree in a park in Princeton NJ

Magicicada on a tree branch in a park in Princeton NJ

Magicicada on a tree in a park in Princeton NJ

Magicicada on a tree in a park in Princeton NJ

Seagulls and cicadas photo by Sue

Filed under: Brood XIII | Magicicada — Dan @ 8:47 am

These images go back to 2007 (Brood XIII).

Sue had noticed that seagulls had taken a liking (maybe an obsession) to cicadas. Look at all those seagulls ready to swoop down (or up) and grab a cicada:

Seagulls waiting to eat cicadas

No seagulls in this photo, just exuvia on a tree:
Magicicada on a tree

I live near the ocean and can testify that seagulls are bold and voracious eaters. They pose a threat to not just cicadas, but also seals and even Jedi:

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