Molting Cicada - Megatibicen dealbatus

Moved

… Bill Reynolds, 7 August, 2012 - 12:18pm

Moved

Moved from Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada.

… Bill Reynolds, 5 June, 2012 - 3:05pm

Have a strong suspicion

That this is really T. dealbatus. There are few reasons. One is that the color pattern of this one seems to be wrong for T. cultriformis, but some of the characteristics of the pattern of T. dealbatus seem to be appearing. More importantly, I don't think T. cultriformis is in Albuquerque. I've never seen it, nor have I heard it's song in over 30 years. However, T. dealbatus (a brown version of it) is very abundant here, and emerges as adults roughly in July. Even in this last photo, the fully adult shape appears to have not yet been reached, with both the head and pronotum still looking a tad "nymphal". I could always be wrong though.

… David J. Ferguson, 5 June, 2012 - 2:30pm

I'm inclined to agree

I was talking with Kathy recently and there is and has been some confusion as to the ranges occupied by cultriformis, dealbatus and pronotalis, esp. as pertains to overlap.

Supposedly, some vague records put cultriformis as far east as western Texas, but this is unlikely.

Given your knowledge and familiarity with New Mexico, I'm quick to take your word and experience as law ;)

T. dealbatus crossed my mind also, but at the time, the head seemed a little wide (but in review, not as wide as seen in cultriformis). Regarding color, that can be tricky in tenerals and even adults for some species. I have seen a few tenerals of cultriformis in parts of se. Arizona and think the intense yellowish to blue-green coloration may be subject to vary individually or even perhaps by region in AZ (??).

… Bill Reynolds, 5 June, 2012 - 3:04pm

Moved

Moved from Tibicen.

… Bill Reynolds, 18 November, 2011 - 3:41pm

Moved

Moved from Cicadas.

… Bill Reynolds, 18 November, 2011 - 2:42pm

Teneral Tibicen sp. (looks like T. cultriformis)

Given the physical traits and range, this is likely T. cultriformis.

Compare with this image

T. dealbatus also occurs in NM, however, the head is generally a bit narrower when compared to the pronotum.

… Bill Reynolds, 18 November, 2011 - 2:40pm

Thanks, Bill!

… Bryan E. Reynolds, 19 November, 2011 - 11:35am