Cicada - Megatibicen figuratus

Tibicen figuratus!

Although 5 cms as previously stated seems small for figuratus, my suspicions of T. similaris have been overturned in lieu of new info. I may have to "eat crow" and agree with the initial id of T. figuratus!...but I still do not like the lack of the central whitish stripe along the abdomen typical of figuratus in FL.
1) updated size of 6cms or more suggests figuratus
2) this cicada does not have a black pronotal collar, a trait usually typical of similaris (rare exceptions have been observed)
NOTE: image below
top specimen has a light or brown pronotal collar while the second specimen has the typical black pronotal collar

3) has purplish eyes (like figuratus)
4) is dusted with a light chalky-white pruinosity more closely matching the figuratus reviewed

… Bill Reynolds, 15 April, 2009 - 5:27pm

Tibicen similaris (?)

Wow! - how to address this one.
5 cms = ~2 inches!

T. similaris and T. figuratus may in fact be among the most difficult to separate - without the cicada in hand!

While both are similar in profile, laterally and dorsally, T. similaris is only slightly smaller.

The best way to separate these 2 species are as follows:
The opercula of T. figuratus are round, while those in T. similaris are acute (terminating in points).
The head of T. figuratus is slightly more "boomerang-shaped", that in T. similaris only slightly so.

Typically T. similaris is a bit more colorful, however, reddish-browns are not uncommon - hence making an acurate and decisive id. based on a photo very hard.

I pulled all of my similaris and all of my figuratus and used them to compare with this image. Please let me state for the record, that I am in no way trying to discredit anyone's id's. Simply put, to the best of my abilities and experience, I believe this is an image of T. similaris.

… Bill Reynolds, 28 October, 2008 - 11:20am

T. similaris (cont'd)

As I mentioned on another comment (under a T. resonans image), my experience has taught me that T. figuratus is not that common (I am NOT implying that it's rare!). In contrast, T. similaris is/was more abundant.

Having grown up in Florida, I recall many similaris and few figuratus.

… Bill Reynolds, 28 October, 2008 - 11:36am

Similaris

Bill,

do your specimens of T. similaris have the level of pruinosity as indicated in this specimen? While I don't think it is T. auletes I'd question this measurement. At first glance I would've thought this to be from the Diceroprocta genus.

… Gerry Bunker, 28 October, 2008 - 12:16pm

Tibicen similaris

Although still not 100% convinced it is Tibicen figuratus, I do agree with K. Hill and Dr. Hamilton, that this is a Tibicen and not a Diceroprocta.

compare with T. similaris

Unless the measurements are grossly erroneous, it's ~ "too large" for a Floridian Diceroprocta sp. and seems small for a figuratus (usually >2 inches!)

… Bill Reynolds, 28 October, 2008 - 2:21pm

Good Question

I considered Diceroprocta olympusa - but it was the pruinosity and ~5 cm (2 inches) measurement that made me think again. Even with wings included, the measurements of my D. olympusa are only slightly > 1 inch.

The pruinosity in T. similaris specimens ranges from whitish, silverish to even a bronzish/goldish, but the cicadas hemselves do usually have a greenish cast.

NOTE: My T. similaris specimens appear to be more "pruinose" than most other Tibicen species in my collection (except for a few T. auletes). However, it is not the powdery white as seen in most (i.e. auletes) but the thinner dusting - more metallic sheen - as seen in this image.

… Bill Reynolds, 28 October, 2008 - 1:39pm

I am going to go back to my o

I am going to go back to my original photo and relook at the measurement tonight!

… Tom Bentley, 28 October, 2008 - 12:28pm

Ok I am going to say he was m

Ok I am going to say he was more like 6 cms...possibly a little larger. Not sure if the habitat is any indicator?

… Tom Bentley, 28 October, 2008 - 10:46pm

...

Well, that definately rules out Diceroprocta but I still question the high level of pruinosity.

… Gerry Bunker, 28 October, 2008 - 11:23pm

Sounds like this one is still

Sounds like this one is still up in the air..

… Tom Bentley, 30 October, 2008 - 8:50pm

Moved

Moved from Cicadas.

… Tom Bentley, 20 August, 2007 - 10:14am

Tibicen figurata

Kathy Hill says that this is probably a newly emerged specimen, still covered with a waxy fuzz which obscures the markings. Its small size (for a Tibicen) is characteristic.

She also tells me these are common on pines.

… Andy Hamilton, 20 August, 2007 - 9:54am

Moved

Moved from Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies.

… john and jane balaban, 27 October, 2006 - 8:19pm