Species Megatibicen tremulus - Western Bush Cicada

Suggested: "Cole's Bush Cicada" or "Cole's Grand Western Cicada"

NOTE: Due to the recent split from T. dorsatus, both T. dorsatus and T. tremulus share common names.

Same as Tibicen dorsatus

This species can be separated from its close relative Tibicen dorsatus by using both morphological and behavioral characteristics. Morphologically, the sub-costa is the same color as the costa in T. tremulus. The tymbal covers are black in this species and brown in T. dorsatus (though this is variable). The best morphological feature is the subgenital claspers. In T. tremulus, the claspers form a V-shape with pointed tips. In T. dorsatus, the claspers are prong-horned and blunt, with considerably more setae. This character is not very variable.

Behaviorally, the call emitted by Tibicen tremulus is different than that of T. dorsatus.

Reported from Colorado, New Mexico & w. Texas

Extent of range remains undefined.

Seems to occupy a more western distribution than T. dorsatus.

Range overlap between dorsatus & tremulus has been reported, but the extent of sympatry is not well known.

This species has also been collected within a few miles of the Oklahoma border in Western Kansas, so it's range almost certainly extends into Western Oklahoma, though it isn't represented there in the guide.

This species was just described by Jeffrey Cole and the paper detailing it has been accepted and published.

Tibicen dorsatus, the separation is detailed as above

"The dorsatus/pronotalis Group"

Tibicen pronotalis Davis 1938 - [syn. marginalis (Walker 1852)], "Walker's Cicada" or "Grand Harvestfly"

Tibicen dealbatus (Davis 1915), "Common Whitewashed Cicada" (no accepted common name applies)

Tibicen cultriformis (Davis 1915), "Western Flood Plain Cicada"

Tibicen dorsatus (Say 1825), "Grand Western Cicada" or "Bush Cicada"

Tibicen tremulus (nov. sp.), a.k.a. "Cole's Bush Cicada"

"The auletes Group"

Tibicen auletes (Germar 1834), "Northern Dusk Singing Cicada"

Tibicen resh (Haldeman1852), "Resh Cicada"

Tibicen resonans (Walker 1850), "Southern Resonant/Pine Barrens Cicada"

A New Cryptic Species of Cicada Resembling Tibicen dorsatus

Revealed by Calling Song (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cicadidae), Cole, Jeffery. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 101(5): 815Ð823 (2008)