Brood XIII Magicicada in Chicago, IL.
Sightings Category: Cicadas
Brood XIII Magicicada in Chicago, IL.
hey, I'm here in Chicago in the middle of the 17-year-swarm. Taking some
macro shots, I noticed most of the red eyed cicadas have three small "dots"
on what would be considered their forheads, between eyeballs. What are those, extra eyes? I have heard just one source call them "frons", but I cant be sure it's reliable. What say you? (sending with a picture of said dots.)
Diego
Date Posted: 2007-05-29 Comments: (1) Show Comments Hide Comments
Comments
Posted By: Massachusetts Cicadas | On: 2010-11-28 | Website:
Hey Diego
Those three dots in the middle of a cicada's forehead are actually simple eyes known as "ocelli" or "ocellus" in the singular. Lots of insects have these ocelli like wasps, grasshoppers and mantids.
I believe they are used to detect movement and certain wavelengths of light.
Hope that helps.