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Tibicen cancularis in South Yarmouth

Sightings Category: Cicadas

Tibicen cancularis in South Yarmouth

Found this little guy in my perennial garden. He was all by himself.

Date Posted: 2011-07-18 Comments: (3) Show Comments Hide Comments

Comments

Posted By: Massachusetts Cicadas | On: 2011-07-18 | Website:

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for the photos of a Tibicen canicularis cicada and thanks for providing the second photo with a ruler for scale. I can tell by looking at this specimen a few things. One, is that it is a female because it lacks the timbal covers located at the base of the abdomen. Second, this little female seems to have had a terrible time during the molting process and the forewings which enable it to fly did not form properly. Probably because it tried to molt in your garden and did not allow for adequate space for its wings to expand properly.

Thanks very much for sharing.

Posted By: lisa | On: 2077-07-18 | Website:

Thank you for all the info. I was curious about the wing as it was shorter than the other and it did look like she had something attached to her body at the wing. I thought she was injured or possibly molting. I have never seen one, so it was nice to see her up close and she was gone in the a.m. I hope she is ok :)

Posted By: Massachusetts Cicadas | On: 2011-07-18 | Website:

Hi Lisa,

Cicadas have 4 wings. To long front forewings and to smaller hind wings. It is the fully formed hind wings you are seeing in the photos.

Unfortunately, without the ability of flight, this little cicada would be a great food source for animals that prey on cicadas like birds and other insects.

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