Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Although encountered in the literature as a distinct taxon, "bequaerti" was first described as a variation of
Diceroprocta viridifascia, the Salt Marsh Cicada (syn.
D. reperta Uhler) and later as a variety of
Diceroprocta vitripennis.
Refer here for details as a form of viridifascia:
Diceroprocta viridifascia "var. bequaerti".
Numbers
Diceroprocta viridifascia was historically divided into 2 forms.
The Atlantic coastal type = nominate "viridifascia" and the Gulf Coast type = "bequaerti"
for information on Diceroprocta viridifascia var. beaquerti, refer to pages 210-211
NOTE: Images of cicadas placed under the taxon "viridifascia" are not representative of bequaert.
Identification
Described as "similar to viridifascia."
Eyes are described as less prominent than those of the nominate viridifascia.
Basal cell of forewing "clear" with slight black edging of the fore margin.
The markings of the head and pronotum are similar to those of
Diceroprocta vitripennis but the black markings are reported to be less extensive across the face.
Based on the available literature and associated updates in classification, greater clarification may be needed for better identification and separation of the following:
Range
This form ranges along the Gulf coast of Texas and is reported to extend inland more significantly than are the eastern varieties of viridifascia (how far inland has been debated????).
"D. bequaerti" as a form of viridifascia (?): Similar specimens are also reported from the Gulf coast of FL, AL, MS, LA and as far inland as Arkansas and Oklahoma. How these Gulf coast populations relate to viridifascia along the Atlantic and the more divergent form of bequaerti descrbbed from TX has been debated. Cicadas collected from the Gulf coast of FL ("big bend area"), running west along the Gulf are reported to be slightly different from populations along the Atlantic. Initial reports suggested these cicadas were similar to "bequaerti"(?).
"
D. beaquaerti" as a form of vitripennis (?): Recent documentation suggests this cicada may be more closely related to
Diceroprocta vitripennis but differing in markings across the head and thorax.
Although debated, it is often considered to be a distinct taxon from the species listed above.
The Texas populations are most distinct.
Habitat
May extend more inland than viridifascia nominate from the Atlantic coast (Usually - Coastal Maritime forests, salt marshes, coastal marshes and dune vegetative communities).
The nomminate form is rarely reported more than a couple miles or so from the coast.
In contast, var. bequaerti is reported to occur many miles inland (TX & OK).
Food
Nominate form: Likely several plant groups (seems abundant on perennial grasses, Poaceae).
Among the dunes, the nymphs and shells are common on Uniola sp. (Poaceae)
Adult females have been observed to oviposit in Uniola sp. and nymph casts are common on these plants
var bequaerti: reported from a number of various hosts incl. deciduous hardwoods.
Life Cycle
UNKNOWN:
Likely a couple years or so with overlapping generations
Remarks
Current images may
NOT be representative of the taxon bequaerti (refer to
Diceroprocta vitripennis)
THIS TAXON IS NOT ACTIVE, HAVING BEEN MADE A JUNIOR SYNONYM OF D. vitripennis AND THEN ELEVATED TO FULL SPECIES STATUS BY DAVIS IN 1932
THE PAGE IS BEING LEFT DUE TO THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON IDENTIFICATION AND OTHER POINTS. SEE SPECIES PAGE FOR SUBMISSIONS.
