Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Magicicada cassinii (Fisher) - but frequently published as cassini, probably to conform to the same suffix as Magicicada tredecassini
Orig. Comb: Cicada cassinii Fisher, 1851
Syn: cassini - spelling
Explanation of Names
Patronym for
John Cassin (1813–1869), an American ornithologist.
Identification
Entire abdomen black; late teneral individuals have grayish-brown bands on the apex of each sternite
Black pleura
Some rare individuals can have assorted orange pigmentation on the underside of the abdomen; a distinct version of this is having orange on the sternites like septendecula, but the bands are medially constricted
Range
c. and s. Great Plains to New England
(1)
Life Cycle
17-year species. Years: 1981, 1998, 2015, 2032 -
part of the The Kansan Brood - Brood IV (2)
Groups of males of this species, and of its relative
Magicicada tredecassini, may synchronize calls and flights, giving an effect called a "giant game of musical chairs" (
Michigan Cicadas).
Remarks
Fisher seems to have been active in Philadelphia, and was a colleague of John Cassin, both active in the Academy of Natural Sciences. Perhaps the same person as "J. Coleman Fisher"?
See Also
Magicicada tredecassini - almost identical in size, color and song, but has a 13-year life cycle
Print References
Fisher, J.C. 1851. On a new species of cicada. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 5: 272-275. (
Full Text)