Species Megatibicen dorsatus - Bush Cicada

"Bush Cicada," "Grand Western Cicada," & "Splendid Prairie Cicada"

a.k.a. "Grand/Giant Grassland Cicada"

Neotibicen dorsatus (Say)

Orig. Comb: Cicada dorsata Say 1825

Most populations are centrally located east of the Rockies and west of the Mississippi River

This species can be found across the Plains States west to CO south to TX

Isolates occur as far east as the upper Midwest (incl. IL & w. IN)

Much of the former reported range also included the closely related T. tremulus (recently described and separated from dorsatus). T. dorsatus has also been reported from Wyoming and South Dakota, however, there may still be some confusion regarding the details in range distributions between dorsatus and tremulus - coupled with erroneous id's incl. T. dealbatus with which it is sympatric across much of its range and occasionally confused.

Some populations found in "Prairie remnants" and parks may be listed/protected.

One should check with local authorities prior to collecting in these sites.

long-grass/short-grass prairie remnants & associated woodlands

mostly: July-Sept (BG data)

misc. vascular plants

A beautiful species that now exists in scattered isolates across much of its former range.

Although listed as "secure" (i.e. "not threatened/endangered"), many populations, particularly those isolated in more developed areas, should be monitored and conserved.

"The dorsatus Group"

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

Tibicen tremulus J.A.Cole 2008, "Bush Cicada"

"The pronotalis Group"

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

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

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