A rather light colored cicada. - Okanagodes gracilis

The wing veination is a bette

The wing veination is a better indication of genus that other characters. In this case the truncated M8 is distinctive and the very pronounced clypeus are diagnostic. The pattern of the dorsum is also correct for Okanagodes, though that is a character that should be used with caution. Was the buzz very, very slow, almost like a clicking? That would be the deciding character of the song.

… Will Chatfield-Taylor, 24 August, 2019 - 9:52am

Here is a windy recording of

Here is a windy recording of it making some noise http://smg.photobucket.com/user/masterboggler/media/MOV04562.mp4.html

… Brian Nielsen, 26 August, 2019 - 1:16am

Moved

Moved from Clidophleps vagans.

… Will Chatfield-Taylor, 24 August, 2019 - 9:45am

Moved

Moved from Okanagodes gracilis.

… v belov, 3 December, 2013 - 12:11pm

Moved

Moved from Beameria venosa.

… Nick Fensler, 17 August, 2007 - 1:22pm

Okanagodes gracilis

The head is more prominently produced, and the pronotum is narrower and more collar-like than in Beameria.

This species is naturally pale - in fact, var. pallida is even more so.

This species was described from Utah, so there is no need to record Beameria from that state.

… Andy Hamilton, 17 August, 2007 - 10:54am

Clidophleps vagans

Now that I have seen more specimens, and a recent photo of actual Okanagodes, I can see where I went wrong - the key characters separating these genera are poor, but the head length is quite different between Okanagodes (long) and C. vagans (short).

… Andy Hamilton, 3 December, 2013 - 8:50am

Thanks,

Dr. Hamilton. I didn't see Okanagodes in the guide, so I assume this is a new genus and species for bugguide? I'll create the pages...if I'm missing something just let me know and I'll just move the images somewhere else and delete the pages later.

… Nick Fensler, 17 August, 2007 - 1:21pm

Moved

Moved from Cicadas.

… Nick Fensler, 3 August, 2007 - 4:29pm

Teneral

The wings still look wrinkled, so the light color may have to do with this individual being teneral. The overall color will probably darken at least a little.

… Nick Fensler, 19 July, 2007 - 5:26am

Very good observation. Any id

Very good observation. Any idea as to the genus or species?

… Brian Nielsen, 19 July, 2007 - 12:13pm

Maybe...

Neocicada or Okanagana? That's just a guess based on images in the guide, I'm MUCH better at Hymenoptera. If Andy Hamilton sees this he may know for sure.

… Nick Fensler, 19 July, 2007 - 1:09pm

Beameria venosa

This actually isn't a teneral it is a small grass cicada known as Beameria venosa. As seen here and here. The evolutionary adaptability of a species is totally amazing. This guy is obviously this color to blend in with the grasses which are its habitat.

In addition it is probably this color due to the high heat in Utah, this color will deflect heat instead of absorb it.

Unlike Magicicadas which are black for the obvious reason. They emerge late May when it is still cool in the morning their black bodies absorb heat from the sun.

I'm not sure if there is a guide page for this species. Maybe we should get someone to make one.

Gerry

… Gerry Bunker, 3 August, 2007 - 3:39pm

Maybe a teneral Beameria venosa?

Maybe it's both. It still looks like (based on the linked images above) the shape of the wings is a little unnatural compared to the other specimen photos, especially on the posterior half of the wing. Maybe the wings just haven't finished drying completely. I am familiar with some light-colored cicadas; at least one species of cicada at the Indiana Sand Dunes is about this light. I imagine for the reasons you have given above. I never bothered to ID it, though.

UPDATE: Created guide page for both genus and species.

… Nick Fensler, 3 August, 2007 - 4:23pm

Doubtful

If this was a teneral then the wings would not have the black wing veins. They'd more than likely be white. Once the wings fold in "roof-like" over the body, the cicada is pretty much done with the eclose process.

What may have happened is that even though the process was completed, the cicada was still soft and pliable, he may have damaged the ends by getting too close to an object causing them to bend and harden in that position.

No, Im pretty confident it's pretty much done and fully hardened.

Gerry

… Gerry Bunker, 3 August, 2007 - 6:38pm

Sucks for the cicada...

I wonder if it would even be able to fly at all.

Your explanation makes much more sense because of the darkened wing veins. Thanks for all the info on cicadas...I guess I've been spending too much time with my wasps.

… Nick Fensler, 3 August, 2007 - 8:43pm

You'd be surprised.

I'll bet dollars to donuts, he can still fly. Even if he couldn't it wouldn't stop him from trying to call and find a mate. On several different occassions I have noted T. chloromera males and one T. lyricen male calling from the ground because they were missing half of a forewing.

This guy's wings are still in tact, I'm sure he can fly just fine.

Gerry

… Gerry Bunker, 3 August, 2007 - 8:49pm

Sorry...

there should have been a question mark at the end of that sentence...I really didn't know. Even if he couldn't fly I guess it doesn't suck so bad if you can still find a mate. I'm not commenting anymore on this image...I'm sick of showing how little I know about cicadas:-)

… Nick Fensler, 3 August, 2007 - 9:26pm

Wasps

Nick,

FYI, I also study Cicada Killer wasps. I have some cool info on my home page of my site with some pretty decent photos and a movie.

You should check it out. Feel free to drop an email.

http://www.mechaworx.com/cicada/masscic1.asp

Gerry

… Gerry Bunker, 3 August, 2007 - 9:31pm

He was calling at the time. I

He was calling at the time. I am not sure if that is a helpful clue or not. Thanks for all of the info.

… Brian Nielsen, 3 August, 2007 - 9:07pm