Tibicen winnemana - First PA Datapoint - Neotibicen winnemanna

Moved

Moved from Tibicen.

… roar, 9 September, 2009 - 5:05pm

Tibicen winnemana (Females)

This taxon represents the eastern component of the Tibicen pruinosus complex. Members of the winnemana group are very abundant in Maryland and the southeastern counties of Pennsylvania - incl. Lancaster Co.

These cicadas are highly variable in a number of traits, however, the tan maculations along the dorsum of the abdomen (as seen in the right) and the reduced black pigmentation of the mesonotum (seen in both specimens here) are common characteristics. It is important to mention that not all specimens will have the brown markings dorsally along the abdomen. Regarding the mesonotum, usually the lateral fulvous patches of winnemana are less vivid (less reddish/more washed out in appearance) and the black pigmentation fails to delineate these reddish areas from the central greens. Another trait that is often characteristic is the lack of dark pigmentation along the leading/anterior margin of the pronotal collar (T.linnei and T. canicularis here in the east often possess pigmentation in the groove anterior to the pronotal collar - not seen in either specimen here).

I have collected series of winnemana in South Carolina, North Carolina and Maryland - as well as 100's of specimens suggestive of a possible intergrade zone with T. pruinosus in the Tennessee Valley of the upper mid-South. Many of the traits are subject to considerable variation (wing shape, node position, and coloration). Additionally, this taxon, not unlike pruinosus to the west, is thought to hybridize with canicularis and linnei resulting in id. difficulties.

NOTE: Individuals of winnemana may have strongly bowed costae, a trait frequently used diagnostically for T. linnei, however, not a 100% reliable character for either taxon. Node position is variable and can be suggestive of T. linnei, canicularis and even pruinosus to the west. T. linnei is characterized by a very well developed ventral black stripe, usu. not seen in T. winnemana and less developed in T. canicularis...photographs of the ventral aspects could aid in id.

hope that helps,
bill

… Bill Reynolds, 9 September, 2009 - 12:18pm

Can you

also help me with this?

I am getting two answers, canicularis and winnemana. Which one is it?

… roar, 9 September, 2009 - 3:42pm

Tibicen winnemana

I can see why there is the potential to call these canicularis, however, I am quite familiar with taxa along the eastern seaboard (mid-Atlantic and Southeast).

I have also received several current reports and a number of specimens from Maryland and s. PA - T. winnemana seems to be a bit more common than canicularis in your area! You will find canicularis in s. PA, however, T. canicularis is usu. smaller and for reasons I listed earlier, I am quite certain these are T. winnemana.

I recommend listening to cicada calls.
Check the internet/youtube for the call of T. pruinosus (very similar/same as that of winnemana) - you might find that T. winnemana in your area sounds a bit faster and higher pitched, but similar none the less. I'm sure you will recognize that call as a dominant sound of summer in your area.

Youtube Vid's of the T. pruinosus group by "thelope"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnIH2OAezLs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dPASd7N9Wk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yi2-8Mhq3Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWJ8Iq4UBuk

I also suggest you compare your pic's with others here on bugguide.

Can you supply images of the lateral and the ventral???

On another note, I measured a couple dozen winnemana and several canicularis. ALL winnemana were nearly 2 inches (as are yours) to slighltly larger (SC material)! - All T. canicularis fell noticeably short of 2 inches (closer to 1.5"-1.7").

… Bill Reynolds, 9 September, 2009 - 4:36pm

okay

I just wanted a confirmation :)

… roar, 9 September, 2009 - 5:05pm

Cicada ID

Identification of cicadas is not always easy, especially by pic..
There are certain regions of the US where one should use trepidation when identifying cicadas for several reasons (esp. where there appears to be HYBRIDIZATION between and among several of the closely related ecological/sister species).

One thing that absolutely confounds id, is the dogmatic adherence to certain traits or sets of traits as though they are ABSOLUTES. I'm not saying the use of diagnostic traits and characters do not or cannot serve in identification, but they are certainly "plastic" and not set in stone.

Recent field work and taxonomic endeavors have revealed that few, if any, of our preconceived notions based on traditional assertions work with regards to cicada id - especially across the vast ranges that several of the taxa occupy. Further confusing point - How many more species & hybrid complexes (= introgressants/intergrades) are out there that we have not yet identified or successfully separated from similar taxa ??

… Bill Reynolds, 9 September, 2009 - 5:25pm

Can you identify Tibicens by noise?

The ones I hear most often goes something like REEEEEEEEEEEEEREEEEEEEEEEEEREEEEEEEEEREEEEREEEEREERERRR, except it is much longer than that.

… roar, 9 September, 2009 - 6:30pm

Yes...but .....

Yes...but each person seems to have his/her own way of making/writing the sound.

What you are describing sounds like the "pruinosus group" including T. winnemana.

Can you access Youtube? If so, search T. pruinosa sound files...winnemana should sound very similar.

… Bill Reynolds, 10 September, 2009 - 12:22pm

I should do that.

I believe T. winnemana does make that noise. They seem to be common around here. Do you know if Tibicen tibicen makes the same noise as winnemana? Because they are both equally common in Lancaster.

… roar, 11 September, 2009 - 5:23am

Tibicen species...

Tibicen tibicen has a totally different call from winnemanna .... + it usually calls in the morning.

Most of these sound files can be found on the net!
Google search the taxon and specify sound files.

bill

… Bill Reynolds, 11 September, 2009 - 10:09am