Buzzers of the East: Linne’s Cicada (Neotibicen linnei)

Go on a hike through deciduous woods in the east on a pleasant morning in July and you can be certain you’ll hear the unmistakable maraca-like call of this species. It's the comforting sound that signals that summer has arrived. This eastern species of Neotibicen may look very similar to others of its genus, especially N. pruinosus and N. robinsonianus. It can be told apart by the males somewhat elongated, triangular opercula (sound making organs) and by the strong wing bend in both sexes opposed to the consistent curve of other species. Linne’s cicada is found from wooded urban areas to oak savannas to deciduous forests. It is found in most of the eastern U.S. from Nebraska, south to Texas, and eastward. This species' call sounds similar to N. tibicen (the Swamp Cicada). They can be seen and heard July through September, and the population peaks in late July through August
During their flight period, they can be heard from dawn to dusk and shortly after dusk. Cicadas in the genus Neotibicen are the main prey of the Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus) which stings them. The stinger paralyzes the cicada. The cicada killer then lays its eggs in the cicada as food for its babies. This species lives most of its life underground in the nymphal stage (around 90% of its total lifespan). Call and diagram of the wing bend can be found here: https://www.cicadamania.com/cicadas/?s=neotibicen+linnei.

Posted on June 2, 2022 09:45 PM by thecicadadude