Cicada Mania

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April 24, 2016

Platypedia barbata Davis, 1920

Filed under: Platypedia | Platypediini | United States | William T. Davis — Tags: — Dan @ 3:04 am

Platypedia barbata Davis, 1920

Name, Location and Description

From W.T. Davis’ key to Platypedia1

AA. Fore wings much broader, the breadth is equal to about one-half the distance from the basal cell to the apex of the wing.

Uncus when viewed from above narrow; when seen in profile somewhat resembling in shape that of putnami. Last ventral segment in female with notch U-shaped. Costal margin of fore wing slightly bent near the end of the radial cell. Membranes at base of fore wings red. Expands about 38 millimeters. Occurs in California.

Classification:

Family: Cicadidae
Subfamily: Cicadettinae
Tribe: Platypediini
Subtribe: ?
Genera: Platypedia
Species: Platypedia barbata Davis, 1920

List of sources

  1. Davis, W.T. North American Cicadas Belonging to the Genera Platypedia and Melampsalta. Journal of the New York Entomological Society. V28. Pp 95-135. 1920. Link.
  2. Full Binomial Names: ITIS.gov
  3. Common names: BugGuide.net; The Songs of Insects by Lang Elliott and Wil Herschberger; personal memory.
  4. Locations: Biogeography of the Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) of North America, North of Mexico by Allen F. Sanborn and Polly K. Phillips.
  5. Descriptions, Colors: personal observations from specimens or photos from many sources. Descriptions are not perfect, but may be helpful.
  6. Tribe information comes from: MARSHALL, DAVID C. et al.A molecular phylogeny of the cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) with a review of tribe and subfamily classification.Zootaxa, [S.l.], v. 4424, n. 1, p. 1—64, may 2018. ISSN 1175-5334. Available at: https://www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4424.1.1

Notes:

  • Some descriptions are based on aged specimens which have lost some or a lot of their color.

Platypedia balli Davis, 1936

Filed under: Platypedia | Platypediini | United States | William T. Davis — Tags: — Dan @ 3:01 am

Platypedia balli Davis, 1936

Name, Location and Description

Classification:

Family: Cicadidae
Subfamily: Cicadettinae
Tribe: Platypediini
Subtribe: ?
Genera: Platypedia
Species: Platypedia balli Davis, 1936

List of sources

  1. Full Binomial Names: ITIS.gov
  2. Common names: BugGuide.net; The Songs of Insects by Lang Elliott and Wil Herschberger; personal memory.
  3. Locations: Biogeography of the Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) of North America, North of Mexico by Allen F. Sanborn and Polly K. Phillips.
  4. Descriptions, Colors: personal observations from specimens or photos from many sources. Descriptions are not perfect, but may be helpful.
  5. Tribe information comes from: MARSHALL, DAVID C. et al.A molecular phylogeny of the cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) with a review of tribe and subfamily classification.Zootaxa, [S.l.], v. 4424, n. 1, p. 1—64, may 2018. ISSN 1175-5334. Available at: https://www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4424.1.1

Notes:

  • Some descriptions are based on aged specimens which have lost some or a lot of their color.

Platypedia areolata (Uhler, 1861) aka Salmonfly Cicada

Filed under: Philip Reese Uhler | Platypedia | Platypediini | United States — Tags: — Dan @ 2:51 am

Platypedia areolata (Uhler, 1861) aka Salmonfly Cicada

Name, Location and Description

From W.T. Davis’ key to Platypedia1

A. Fore wings more than twice as long as broad.

B. Large, expanding 40 millimeters or over; uncus when viewed from above long and narrow.

CC. Head broader across the eyes with front not as strongly produced. Uncus viewed in profile arched at the top, the arch extending to the extremity, which is thickened; uncus also deepened near the base in typical putnami and areolata.

EE. Body black with brassy or greenish reflections. Fore femora almost entirely chestnut colored. Membranes at the base of fore wings pale, often almost white. Vein separating the radial cell from ulnar cells usually pale throughout its length.

Uncus viewed in profile arched at the top, distal two-thirds of lower line not straight but curved so that the extremity sometimes appears bent downward. The front of head is usually quite hairy. Expands from 48 to 54 millimeters. Occurs in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana areolata (Uhler).

Classification:

Family: Cicadidae
Subfamily: Cicadettinae
Tribe: Platypediini
Subtribe: ?
Genera: Platypedia
Species: Platypedia areolata (Uhler, 1861)

List of sources

  1. Davis, W.T. North American Cicadas Belonging to the Genera Platypedia and Melampsalta. Journal of the New York Entomological Society. V28. Pp 95-135. 1920. Link.
  2. Full Binomial Names: ITIS.gov
  3. Common names: BugGuide.net; The Songs of Insects by Lang Elliott and Wil Herschberger; personal memory.
  4. Locations: Biogeography of the Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) of North America, North of Mexico by Allen F. Sanborn and Polly K. Phillips.
  5. Descriptions, Colors: personal observations from specimens or photos from many sources. Descriptions are not perfect, but may be helpful.
  6. Tribe information comes from: MARSHALL, DAVID C. et al.A molecular phylogeny of the cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) with a review of tribe and subfamily classification.Zootaxa, [S.l.], v. 4424, n. 1, p. 1—64, may 2018. ISSN 1175-5334. Available at: https://www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4424.1.1

Notes:

  • Some descriptions are based on aged specimens which have lost some or a lot of their color.

Platypedia aperta Van Duzee, 1915

Filed under: Edward P. Van Duzee | Platypedia | Platypediini | United States — Tags: — Dan @ 2:45 am

Platypedia aperta Van Duzee, 1915

Name, Location and Description

From W.T. Davis’ key to Platypedia1

A. Fore wings more than twice as long as broad.

BB. Small, expanding about 38 millimeters; uncus when viewed from above broadly ovate. Fore wing 17 X 6.5 mm.

Uncus when viewed from above “nearly as broad as long, with its apex subacute.” Last ventral segment in female with notch broadly V-shaped. Membranes at base of fore wings pale orange. Expands about 38 millimeters. Occurs in California aperta Van Duzee.

Classification:

Family: Cicadidae
Subfamily: Cicadettinae
Tribe: Platypediini
Subtribe: ?
Genera: Platypedia
Species: Platypedia aperta Van Duzee, 1915

List of sources

  1. Davis, W.T. North American Cicadas Belonging to the Genera Platypedia and Melampsalta. Journal of the New York Entomological Society. V28. Pp 95-135. 1920. Link.
  2. Full Binomial Names: ITIS.gov
  3. Common names: BugGuide.net; The Songs of Insects by Lang Elliott and Wil Herschberger; personal memory.
  4. Locations: Biogeography of the Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) of North America, North of Mexico by Allen F. Sanborn and Polly K. Phillips.
  5. Descriptions, Colors: personal observations from specimens or photos from many sources. Descriptions are not perfect, but may be helpful.
  6. Tribe information comes from: MARSHALL, DAVID C. et al.A molecular phylogeny of the cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) with a review of tribe and subfamily classification.Zootaxa, [S.l.], v. 4424, n. 1, p. 1—64, may 2018. ISSN 1175-5334. Available at: https://www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4424.1.1

Notes:

  • Some descriptions are based on aged specimens which have lost some or a lot of their color.

April 13, 2016

Platypedia putnami putnami (Uhler, 1877)

Filed under: Philip Reese Uhler | Platypedia | Platypediini | United States — Tags: — Dan @ 6:20 pm

Platypedia putnami putnami (Uhler, 1877)

Song type: Call (Crepitation):


Source: ©Insect Singers | Species: P. putnami putnami

Video Playlist

Playlists contain multiple videos found on YouTube.

Platypedia putnami song by Timothy McNARY

Name, Location and Description

From W.T. Davis’ key to Platypedia1

A. Fore wings more than twice as long as broad.

B. Large, expanding 40 millimeters or over; uncus when viewed from above long and narrow.

CC. Head broader across the eyes with front not as strongly produced. Uncus viewed in profile arched at the top, the arch extending to the extremity, which is thickened; uncus also deepened near the base in typical putnami and areolata.

E. Body black with bluish reflections especially on the pronotum and mesonotum. Fore femora in mature individuals entirely black, pale at extremities, except in variety occidentalis of putnami which has chestnut-colored fore femora.

Vein separating the radial cell from ulnar cells black throughout its length in mature individuals. Costal margin of fore wings to end of radial cell brilliant orange; membranes at the base of fore wings bright orange or blood red. Uncus viewed in profile with distal two-thirds of lower line not straight, but curved so that the extremity sometimes appears bent downward. Expands about 50 millimeters. Occurs in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, California putnami (Uhler).

Classification:

Family: Cicadidae
Subfamily: Cicadettinae
Tribe: Platypediini
Subtribe: ?
Genus: Platypedia
Species: Platypedia putnami
Subspecies: Platypedia putnami putnami (Uhler, 1877)
Subspecies: Platypedia putnami keddiensis Davis, 1920
Subspecies: Platypedia putnami lutea Davis, 1920
Subspecies: Platypedia putnami occidentalis Davis, 1920

List of sources

  1. Davis, W.T. North American Cicadas Belonging to the Genera Platypedia and Melampsalta. Journal of the New York Entomological Society. V28. Pp 95-135. 1920. Link.
  2. Full Binomial Names: ITIS.gov
  3. Common names: BugGuide.net; The Songs of Insects by Lang Elliott and Wil Herschberger; personal memory.
  4. Locations: Biogeography of the Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) of North America, North of Mexico by Allen F. Sanborn and Polly K. Phillips.
  5. Descriptions, Colors: personal observations from specimens or photos from many sources. Descriptions are not perfect, but may be helpful.
  6. Tribe information comes from: MARSHALL, DAVID C. et al.A molecular phylogeny of the cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) with a review of tribe and subfamily classification.Zootaxa, [S.l.], v. 4424, n. 1, p. 1—64, may 2018. ISSN 1175-5334. Available at: https://www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4424.1.1

Notes:

  • Some descriptions are based on aged specimens which have lost some or a lot of their color.

Platypedia similis Davis, 1920

Filed under: Platypedia | Platypediini | United States | William T. Davis — Tags: — Dan @ 6:12 pm

Platypedia similis Davis, 1920

Song type: Call


Source: ©Insect Singers | Species: P. similis

Name, Location and Description

From W.T. Davis’ key to Platypedia1

A. Fore wings more than twice as long as broad.

B. Large, expanding 40 millimeters or over; uncus when viewed from above long and narrow.

CC. Head broader across the eyes with front not as strongly produced. Uncus viewed in profile arched at the top, the arch extending to the extremity, which is thickened; uncus also deepened near the base in typical putnami and areolata.

EE. Body black with brassy or greenish reflections. Fore femora almost entirely chestnut colored. Membranes at the base of fore wings pale, often almost white. Vein separating the radial cell from ulnar cells usually pale throughout its length.

Uncus viewed in profile arched at the top but more suddenly declivitous near the tip than in areolata; distal two-thirds of lower line straight or nearly so with a subapical sinuation. Veins of fore wings almost entirely pale, except those surrounding the first and second ulnar areas, and the first seven apical areas, which are black or nearly so. Expands from 40 to 44 millimeters. Occurs in California. similis new species.

Classification:

Family: Cicadidae
Subfamily: Cicadettinae
Tribe: Platypediini
Subtribe: ?
Genus: Platypedia
Species: Platypedia similis Davis, 1920

List of sources

  1. Davis, W.T. North American Cicadas Belonging to the Genera Platypedia and Melampsalta. Journal of the New York Entomological Society. V28. Pp 95-135. 1920. Link.
  2. Full Binomial Names: ITIS.gov
  3. Common names: BugGuide.net; The Songs of Insects by Lang Elliott and Wil Herschberger; personal memory.
  4. Locations: Biogeography of the Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) of North America, North of Mexico by Allen F. Sanborn and Polly K. Phillips.
  5. Descriptions, Colors: personal observations from specimens or photos from many sources. Descriptions are not perfect, but may be helpful.
  6. Tribe information comes from: MARSHALL, DAVID C. et al.A molecular phylogeny of the cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) with a review of tribe and subfamily classification.Zootaxa, [S.l.], v. 4424, n. 1, p. 1—64, may 2018. ISSN 1175-5334. Available at: https://www.biotaxa.org/Zootaxa/article/view/zootaxa.4424.1.1

Notes:

  • Some descriptions are based on aged specimens which have lost some or a lot of their color.

July 23, 2014

Platypedia, the Fisherman’s Friend

Filed under: Platypedia — Dan @ 4:24 am

Cicadas that belong to the genus Platypedia are a fisherman’s friend 🎣. They emerge in large numbers near streams and stimulate fish feeding frenzies. May to June seem to be the best time to witness these “hatches”.

Platypedia are unique in that they lack the organs called tymbals, which most cicadas use to make their song. Platypedia create their sound by rapidly moving their wings. Some describe the sound as cracking or popping, but the correct term is crepitation. Many species of cicadas communicate using their wings as well as tymbals, but Platypedia only use their wings.

Platypedia putnami, aka Putnam’s Cicada, is the best known of the Platypedia genus. They are black with orange highlights. The can be found in most states and provinces from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains, from Arizona, north to British Columbia.

Platypedia look similar to Okanagana, but there are key differences: 1) Platypedia have more slender abdomens, probably due to the lack of tymbals and no need to resonate a song, 2) Platypedia tend to have a marking in the middle of the pronotum (the area behind their eyes), 3) Platypedia are hairier, and of course 4) Platypedia do not sing, they snap, crackle and pop.

Watch these videos to see and hear these unique cicadas:

Additional reading:

Davis, W.T. Two ways of song communication among our North American cicadas. J. New York Entomol. Soc. 1943, 51, 185—190. Get it on the North American Cicada Site.

Sanborn, A and Phillips, P Biogeography of the Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) of North America, North of Mexico Diversity 2013, 5, 166-239. Get it here (PDF).

April 9, 2013

Biogeography of the Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) of North America, North of Mexico

Filed under: Allen F. Sanborn | Books | Cacama | Canada | Cicadettana | Diceroprocta | Magicicada | Okanagana | Okanagodes | Platypedia | Polly K. Phillips | Tibicen | United States — Dan @ 8:59 am

Download the PDF here: www.cicadamania.com/downloads/diversity-05-00166.pdf.

We are excited to announce the availability of a document by Allen F. Sanborn and Polly K. Phillips titled Biogeography of the Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) of North America, North of Mexico. This document features distribution maps for North American cicada species! This document is an excellent companion to The Cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea: Cicadidae) of North America North of Mexico by Allen F. Sanborn and Maxine S. Heath (link to that book).

Abstract: We describe and illustrate the biogeography of the cicadas inhabiting continental North America, north of Mexico. Species distributions were determined through our collecting efforts as well as label data from more than 110 institutional collections. The status of subspecies is discussed with respect to their distributions. As we have shown over limited geographic areas, the distribution of individual species is related to the habitat in which they are found. We discuss the biogeography of the genera with respect to their phylogenetic relationships. California is the state with the greatest alpha diversity (89 species, 46.6% of taxa) and unique species (35 species, 18.3% of taxa). Texas, Arizona, Colorado and Utah are the states with the next greatest alpha diversity with Texas, Arizona and Utah being next for unique species diversity. Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island are the states with the least amount of cicada diversity. Diversity is greatest in states and areas where there is a diversity of plant communities and habitats within these communities. Mountainous terrain also coincides with increases in diversity. Several regions of the focus area require additional collection efforts to fill in the distributions of several species.
Keywords: cicada; distribution; Diceroprocta; Tibicen; Okanagana; Okanagodes; Cacama; Magicicada; Platypedia; Cicadetta

An example of a map from the document:

Example Map

June 10, 2012

Various cicada species emerging in the United States

Filed under: Cacama | Neocicada | Neotibicen | Okanagana | Platypedia — Tags: , — Dan @ 8:11 am

Brood I Magicicada periodical cicadas continue to emerge in VA, WA and TN. Magicicada stragglers belonging to other broods, continue to emerge as well.

Neocicada hieroglyphica are around as well, particularly in Florida [link goes to image].

Neocicada hieroglyphica by Joe Green, 2007
Neocicada hieroglyphica by Joe Green, 2007.

Cicadas belonging to the genus Cacama (Cactus Dodgers), including the Cacama valvata are emerging in south-western states like New Mexico and Arizona [link goes to image].

Cacama valvata cicada photos by Adam Fleishman
Cacama valvata cicada photos by Adam Fleishman

Cicadas belonging to the genus Tibicen are emerging in warmer areas of the United States. Joe Green found a Tibicen tibicen (possibly Tibicen tibicen australis [see Insect Singers site for song and description]) in Florida. Tibicen superbus [image] are emerging in Southern states as well.

Neotibicen superbus from Texas photo by Roy Troutman
Neotibicen superbus from Texas photo by Roy Troutman.

Cicadas belonging to the genus Platypedia are emerging in Califorina [link goes to image]. See also Hello, my tree is clicking.

Cicadas belonging to the genus Okanagana are emerging in California [link goes to image].

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