Other Common Names
Suggested: "Plains Harvest-fly" or "Whitewashed Harvest-fly"
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
First described in 1915 by
William T. Davis as Cicada
marginata var. dealbata
Tibicen dealbatus
Explanation of Names
dealbata is Latin for "whitewashed, whitened"
Numbers
There are currently no recognized subspecies; however, there are slight tendencies in traits and some minor differences (i.e. size, color, patterns, etc.) between and among populations relative to geographic distribution and overlap in characteristics with the related taxon, Tibicen pronotalis (see related links below).
The sister taxon Tibicen pronotalis replaces dealbatus across the eastern "Great Plains", Mississippi River basin and Southeastern USA. T. pronotalis is currently recognized as a distinct species; however, these "populations" appear to be closely related and possess similar morphology, calls, calling behaviors and host associations.
Tibicen pronotalis pronotalis
Tibicen pronotalis pronotalis var. pronotalis
Tibicen pronotalis pronotalis var. walkeri
Tibicen pronotalis walkeri
Tibicen pronotalis nr. dealbatus (?)
Tibicen dealbatus nr. pronotalis (?)
Identification
Distinquishing traits of T. dealbatus are as follows:
1) ABDOMEN: T. dealbatus exhibits greater pruinosity (white powdered wax) than seen in pronotalis. The pruinosity is usually arranged in "dotted stripes" along the sides of the abdomen and dorsal abdominal midline (rare in pronotalis).
2) THORAX: T. dealbatus exhibits greater pruinosity on the thorax (esp. the mesonotum)
Often similar in appearance and confused with "The dorsatus Group"
3) T. dealbatus is usually a bit more compact and has a slightly narrower head than seen in pronotalis
4) COLORATION: Variable in both taxa and not entirely diagnostic!, - tendencies - when T. dealbatus is green, it is typically a duller "pea green" (often more of a ~lime green in pronotalis) - when tan, it is typically more of a sandy-brownish tan as opposed to a ochreous yellow or taupe (green-tan) seen in pronotalis.
5) DISTRIBUTION: Geographic distribution of pronotalis and dealbatus and how they may relate.
To date, neither pronotalis nor dealbatus seem to be sympatric in their "pure" form. Although there is evidence to suggest genetic exchange and blending among adjacent populations (pronotalis x dealbatus), it is unlikely to find both taxa in their "pure forms" coexisting side by side.
6) WINGS: The costal margins of the forewings - heavy veins of the leading wing edge - are usually bowed or noticeably arciform as in pronotalis (more so than seen in several similar species).
Like pronotalis, the heavily infuscated (i.e. smoky black-grey) "Z" visible towards the ends of the forewings, and typical of most Tibicen species, is usually poorly developed to absent with only the cross veins being evident (i.e. The radial and radiomedial cross veins of tegmina, forewing, NOT heavily infuscated or darkened.).
7) CALL: The call of dealbatus is identical to that of pronotalis and may be described as a deep rhythmic "Yeee-Yeee-Yeee-....." with a subtle underlying rumble ..."broom-broom-broom-...." (difficult to vocally immulate or "spell out"). This species calls from late afternoon 'til well after sunset. The calls of the males are often heard as late as 10 to 11 PM (CDT/MDT).
Range
Replaces T. pronotalis in the Plains States
Reported from the following: Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado & New Mexico
Habitat
usu. associated with Riparian ecosystems plentiful in Cottonwoods & Willows (+ adj./associated Hardwood forests and grasslands)
Season
For most parts of the range, July-Sept
June-Oct across the southern part of the range
Food
This species (& related taxa - pronotalis & cultriformis) seems to prefer cottonwoods & willows (Salicaceae)
Also reported from sycamore (Platanaceae) & less commonly associated with maples and misc. other flood plain hardwoods.
Life Cycle
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 Pines)
Final instar nymphs emerge and develop into winged adults (emergence for this species usu. occurs at night)
Remarks
Tibicen dealbatus largely replaces T. pronotalis as one travels west into the "Plains". Both T. dealbatus and T. pronotalis are riparian species often associated with tree thickets and permanent/quasi-permanent water sheds. Not only are they similar ecologically, they are very similar behaviorally and the calls of the males are identical.
They are also thought to intergrade along a thin band where the ranges abut. The males of both dealbatus and pronotalis will often call an hour or two after sunset, a strange behavior for Tibicen here in the US...as most other species call from sunrise to sunset and rarely later.
I have observed dealbatus specimens from southern Texas are often larger and browner than those from Kansas and Nebraska. It seems as though populations along the southern perimeter of the range are often browner and rarely characterized by the greens seen in many populations in the heart of the Plains (Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, & Montana).
Regarding brown coloration in T. dealbatus, read comments by David J. Ferguson hereSee Also
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Based on behavior and call, this taxon is most closely related to
T. pronotalis
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Compare to the following:
"The pronotalis Group"
"The auletes Group"
"The dorsatus Group"