Silver-Bellied Cicada - Neotibicen pruinosus

Tibicen pruinosus (MALE)

Tibicen pruinosus (MALE)
The white slash-mark visible on the sides posterior to the tymbal covers are diagnostic of T. pruinosus. Note the paired white (pruinose) spots on top - follow the abdomen down, then note the white ")" - shaped marks posterio-lateral! These paired white marks are a key diagnostic character for T. pruinosus.

It's also important to point out that Tibicen pruinosus is very abundant in the region where this image was taken!
I suggest looking up sound files to determine which calls are most readily recognized!
Go to this site - images and sound files are available.
http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/Michigan_Cicadas/Michigan/Index.html

Refer here for sound and images (cicada videos by "acejackalope")!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp3RcoUNILo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l69w7EEtBtk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnIH2OAezLs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0UfRRe0sp0

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YES - this specimen has darker eyes than seen in most T. pruinosus, but not an unusual trait in older sclerotized individuals. T. linnei generally has much darker eyes and is typically more richly colored and lacks the development of the white tymbal marks seen here!

Tibicen linnei almost ALWAYS has a gloss black abdomen; however, in very rare cases T. linnei may have copious amounts of early (teneral) wax - giving it a bronzy-silvery sheen when freshly eclosed. As these cicadas age, the abdomen always becomes a shiny slick black and though may have small paired white spots at the base (much smaller than those of T. pruinosus!), T. linnei NEVER has the ")" white mark bracketing the tymbal covers as seen in male T. pruinosus.

… Bill Reynolds, 15 April, 2009 - 1:13pm

thanks, this is helpful

Thanks Bill. I have trouble telling the difference between the two, and this is helpful.

… Andrew Williams, 15 April, 2009 - 2:39pm

Tibicen pruinosus

T. pruinosus and T. linnei are both very similar, ...factor in T. canicularis, T. robinsonianus, T. winnemana, + a few others and it's even more confusing. However, it has been my experience that T. pruinosus is a bit more robust and "squat" in appearance while T. linnei seems a bit more sleek.

Identification of cicadas is difficult, and for me, experience with certain taxa is essential when reviewing images....I don't claim 100% accuracy, however, I try to take into account as many different angles as possible and explain/justify my point(s). Hopefully this info allows the photographer to form his/her own opinion.

… Bill Reynolds, 15 April, 2009 - 3:45pm

Tibicen linnei

yes

… Andy Hamilton, 14 April, 2009 - 8:35am