Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
First described in 1952 by
Samuel Stehman Haldeman as
Cicada resh
Tibicen resh
Explanation of Names
The markings on the mesonotum look like an upside-down
Hebrew letter Resh (and its mirror image on the other side)
Size
Large (2-2.5 inches incl. wings)
Identification
T. resh is one of our LOUDEST CALLING EASTERN Tibicen SPECIES.
However, the alarm squawks of Tibicen resh (Haldman) rival those of T. pronotalis (syn. walkeri Metcalf). Like pronotalis, the males of resh have also been recorded producing a mean sound pressure level of 105.9 dB(50cm) ranking them among the loudest insects in the world!
Refer to this link for details
Loudest Insects
Large (2-2.5 inches incl. wings)
Colorful & patterned -may be green(s), tan, rust, and/or brown with black markings
Similar pattern of pruinosity as seen in auletes but less defined and extensive.
Similar in appearance and habit to
Tibicen auletes (Germar 1834), "Northern Dusk Singing Cicada" but slightly smaller and much less pruinose (not nearly as grey-white in appearance).
differentiating T. resh from the "T. pronotalis Group"
The "Z" infuscation found near the tip of the forewing is prevalent in resh and NOT so in pronotalis & dealbatus (usu. very faded or absent).
WINGS: The costal margins of the forewings in resh - heavy veins of the leading wing edge - are gradually arciform and NOT strongly bowed in appearance. The heavily infuscated (i.e. smoky black-grey) "Z" visible towards the ends of the forewings, and typical of most Tibicen species, is well-developed in resh (i.e. The radial and radiomedial cross veins of tegmina, forewing, are HEAVILY infuscated or darkened.).
Tibicen resh
Note the evident "Z" towards the tips of the forewings
(NOTE the faded "Z" - the cross veins are evident but not heavily blackened)
Tibicen pronotalis var. pronotalis
(NOTE the faded "Z" - the cross veins are evident but not heavily blackened)
Tibicen pronotalis var. walkeri
(NOTE the lack of a smoky black "Z" - ONLY the cross veins are evident)
Tibicen pronotalis var. pronotalis
(NOTE the lack of a smoky black "Z" - ONLY the cross veins are evident)
Range
West of the Mississippi River (there may be isolates in s. MS along the River - ???)
Louisiana (common in New Orleans!)
Texas
Arkansas
Oklahoma
Mississippi (?)
Kansas (?)
lower Plains states spurious reports - (UNKNOWN/UNCONFIRMED - often confused with sililar species, refer to remarks section)
Some NOTES on Morphology & Distribution:
Coloration, pattern and size may be subject to geographic distribution (?). Additional collecting efforts may better address these observations.
Populations in the southern and eastern part of the range (LA & coastal TX / e. TX) often tend to be larger, lighter green and possess less black patterning.
Some individuals from populations along the western periphery of the range (i.e. drier parts of Texas) may often be characterized by duller greens, tan, and even browns/reddish-browns - often with more white pruinosity.
There is also a slight tendency for specimens from the northern part of the range (ne. TX, s. OK & s. AR) to be smaller and much darker green, often patterned with more black.
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Haldeman thought the original specimen was collected in Utah on an expedition to the Great Salt Lake, and published the description with the report for that expedition- but was apparently mistaken.
Habitat
Hardwood forests (oaks)
Esp. Live Oaks, both Quercus virginiana & Q. geminata
Season
Late summer.
July-September (Arkansas & Oklahoma)
July-November (Gulf States, LA & TX).
Life Cycle
Much like that of T. auletes
eggs usually laid in dead twigs, wood or bark
(occasionally eggs may be laid in living stems and twigs)
eggs hatch and nymphs burrow into the soil
nymphs feed on the sap in roots for several years (prefer oaks, Quercus spp.)
Final instar nymphs emerge and develop into winged adults (emergence for this species usu. occurs at night - into early morning)
Remarks
Replaced by Tibicen auletes in eastern Gulf States
(MS, AL & FL)
Replaced by T. resonans in Pine dominated habitats across the southeast (east of the Miss. Riv.)
The calls of Tibicen resh, Tibicen resonans and T. auletes are very similar and frequently confused with one another.
Similar in appearance and habit to
Tibicen auletes (Germar 1834), "Northern Dusk Singing Cicada" but slightly smaller and much less pruinose (not nearly as grey-white in appearance).
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Frequently confused and closely related - T. auletes, T. resh & T. resonans.
T. auletes is our LARGEST EASTERN Tibicen SPECIES.
T. resh
T. resonans
