13-year cicada
Quick Summary
The 13-year cicada is a type of insect belonging to the genus Magicicada, known for its exceptionally long and synchronized life cycle. These cicadas are native to the eastern and midwestern United States.1
Life Cycle
Cicadas spend most of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on tree root juices for either 13 or 17 years. They emerge from the soil in massive numbers, typically in the spring, to live aboveground as adults for only a few weeks. During this brief adult stage, they focus on mating and laying eggs. Males produce loud calls to attract females. After mating, females lay eggs in the twigs of deciduous trees, which can cause damage. The eggs hatch, and the young nymphs burrow into the ground to begin the cycle anew.231
Physical Characteristics
Adult periodical cicadas are large, sturdy insects with prominent compound eyes, three simple eyes, and two pairs of transparent wings. They are typically black with red eyes, and their wings have orange to gray venation.21
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homopteranPeriodical cicada…of both the 17- and 13-year cicadas have been studied. The largest and most widespread brood of the 17-year form occurs in abundance over much of the northeastern quarter of the United States. “Harvest flies,” common black and green species, appear cyclically every two to five years, emerging in summer…
Read More…of both the 17- and 13-year cicadas have been studied. The largest and most widespread brood of the 17-year form occurs in abundance over much of the northeastern quarter of the United States. “Harvest flies,” common black and green species, appear cyclically every two to five years, emerging in summer…
Read More- homopteranSound production
…of geographical range for several 13- and 17-year species. Thirteen-year species sometimes occupy parts of the same geographical areas as 17-year species. The primary song in all cicadas is produced by the male as a mating or pair-forming (aggregating) call. Female cicadas have no sound-producing organs. Males are attracted to…
Read More…of geographical range for several 13- and 17-year species. Thirteen-year species sometimes occupy parts of the same geographical areas as 17-year species. The primary song in all cicadas is produced by the male as a mating or pair-forming (aggregating) call. Female cicadas have no sound-producing organs. Males are attracted to…
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cicadaMajor genera and species…erroneously called 17-year locusts) and13-year cicadas. In what are among the longest life cycles of any insects, periodical cicadas emerge in spring only every 13 or 17 years, with millions of insects materializing from the soil in a matter of weeks and dying shortly thereafter. These species occur in…
Read More…erroneously called 17-year locusts) and13-year cicadas. In what are among the longest life cycles of any insects, periodical cicadas emerge in spring only every 13 or 17 years, with millions of insects materializing from the soil in a matter of weeks and dying shortly thereafter. These species occur in…
Read More
periodical cicadatredecula) emerge every 13 years. It remains unclear how periodical cicadas emerge so synchronously, though some theories suggest that the nymphs deduce the cycle of the years by monitoring the seasonal changes in the xylem on which they feed.
Read Moretredecula) emerge every 13 years. It remains unclear how periodical cicadas emerge so synchronously, though some theories suggest that the nymphs deduce the cycle of the years by monitoring the seasonal changes in the xylem on which they feed.
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