Numbers
Several species are listed and they are often difficult to id.
The following list of Cacama species includes some taxa which have not been recorded from the USA; however, these names may be encountered in reference to the identification of sw. US specimens (such references are likely misidentifications based on older lit., recently described taxa, & incomplete information).
Identification
For a key to the species of Cacama, please refer to the following Paper, Page 37:
ZOOTAXA
ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition)
Copyright © 2011 · Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition)
Zootaxa 2897: 35–50 (2011)
www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ Article 35
The genus Cacama Distant, 1904 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) with the description of three new species
ALLEN F. SANBORN, MAXINE S. HEATH2, POLLY K. PHILLIPS3 & JAMES E. HEATH2
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NOTE: Some IMAGES placed under this taxon may be MISIDENTIFIED at the species level and are in a constant state of review!
Based on morphological characteristics, call similarities, and distribution patterns, several species are subject to confusion and erroneous id (We/I make mistakes!).
This is a dynamic "living-breathing" site and though we (I) make mistakes, we strive to share the most comprehensive and accurate information possible.
Comments, corrections and updates are always welcome.
Range
Several species
sw. USA - Mexico (Central America)
sw. USA (California) & MEXICO
Cacama furcata Davis - (Although listed "from California", this taxon is NOT known from the USA)
sw. USA (ARIZONA) & MEXICO
sw. USA (incl. w. TX, OK, s. CO. NM, & AZ) & adj. n. MEXICO
(Several taxa have been split from C. valvata and the range for this species as listed may not be accurate - see C. collinaplaga & C. moorei)
USA, se. TEXAS & Adj. ne. MEXICO
USA, Central TEXAS ("hill country") north into Oklahoma.
CENTRAL AMERICA / MEXICO (Past literature - incl. misidentifications and undescribed taxa, coupled with subsequent identifications based on the lit. suggests the following taxa may have US distributions. However, based on recent studies, the following species have not been confirmed to occur north of Mexico)
Cacama furcata Davis - (Although listed "from California", this taxon is NOT known from the USA)
Habitat
Usually arid scrub to desert
Season
VARIABLE: Usually Spring thru early Summer
Occurrence dates range from May thru August
Most members of this genus appear to be annual species with multiple overlapping generations.
Food
VARIABLE (needs to be studied)
