Hi all, thanks very much.

Although I have seen interspecific pairings (usually in captivity), I'm reluctant to agree in this case. Tibicen lyricen is the most variable species in the eastern US and the trait to which Dr. Hamilton is referring happens in other cicada species here as well. I call this characteristic "marbling" or "color-pattern mosaic". It is most often seen in teneral/quasi-teneral adults (as the insect pictured appears to be), usually within the first 24 hours or so and then evens out as the insect ages. I don't know what causes it, but it is interesting, particularly when seen in more extreme cases.

Gerry Bunker is very familiar with lyricen in your area (Mass.), and has collected many hundreds over the years. Interesting note - T. lyricen populations in your area seem to have - perhaps the greatest variability seen within any one locality!

Hybridization between T. tibicen and T. lyricen is extremely suspect especially here in Massachusetts and especially within the town of Carlisle. I am very familiar with that town. T. tibicen is extremely rare here on the Massachusetts mainland. The only locality with sustainable populations is on the island of Nantucket.

This female looks to be teneral which would explain the pinkish brown mark on the pronotal collar.