HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp

Clickable Guide

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Registration is open for the 2024 BugGuide gathering in Idaho July 24-27

Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2023

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29

Previous events

TaxonomyBrowse

Info

ImagesLinksBooksData

Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies (Hemiptera) » True Hoppers (Auchenorrhyncha) » Cicadas, Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, and Treehoppers (Cicadomorpha) » Cicadas (Cicadoidea) » Cicadas (Cicadidae) » Cicadettinae » Lamotialnini » Periodical Cicadas (Magicicada) » Cassin's 13-year Cicada (Magicicada tredecassini)

Species Magicicada tredecassini - Cassin's 13-year Cicada

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Life Cycle · See Also · Print References · Internet References

Brood XIX Periodical Cicada 2011 - Magicicada tredecassini - male

Periodical Cicada - Magicicada tredecassini

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder Auchenorrhyncha (True Hoppers)

Infraorder Cicadomorpha (Cicadas, Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, and Treehoppers)

Superfamily Cicadoidea (Cicadas)

Family Cicadidae (Cicadas)

Subfamily Cicadettinae

Tribe Lamotialnini

Genus Magicicada (Periodical Cicadas)

Species tredecassini (Cassin's 13-year Cicada)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Magicicada tredecassini Alexander and Moore, 1962

Explanation of Names

Species name tredecassini is from the name of its 17-year equivalent, Magicicada cassini--Latin tredecim thirteen + cassini. That species named for zoologist John Cassin.

Size

Body length circa 20-28 mm; intermediate in size for member of this genus (Alexander and Moore, 1962)

Identification

Some characters (Magicicada.org):

Usually smaller than Magicicada tredecim, another 13-year species

Abdomen typically completely black

No orange coloration in front of wing insertion/behind eye

Link to video/audio showing the distinctive buzzy sound of this species in chorus:

Range

Southeastern and south-central United States

Life Cycle

A 13-year species. Groups of males of this species, and of its relative Magicicada cassini, may synchronize calls and flights, giving an effect called a "giant game of musical chairs" (Michigan Cicadas).

See Also

Magicicada cassini--its 17-year sibling species

Magicicada tredecim, Magicicada neotredecim--other 13-year species with different markings

Print References

Alexander, R. D., and T. E. Moore. 1962. The evolutionary relationships of 17-year and 13-year cicadas, and three new species (Homoptera, Cicadidae, Magicicada). Univ. of Mich. Mus. Zool. Misc. Pub. 121: 1-59 (PDF).

Internet References

Magicicada tredecassini - Magicicada.org

Video/audio of chorus from 2011 Brood XIX emergence--Durham, NC

Contributed by Cotinis on 1 May, 2011 - 4:03pm
Additional contributions by Mike Quinn, zdanko
Last updated 3 June, 2021 - 1:34am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2024 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version