Identification
"Green Tibicen Species"
Collectively, yet informally, referred to as the "Green Tibicen species" (per. comm.), the following cicadas are often difficult to differentiate and all appear to be very closely related. Genitalic analysis of the males suggest these species are very closely related and morphological differences between and among the species can be slight and often overlap.
Some populations morphologically identified as "canicularis", "linnei" &/or "pruinosus" often reveal unexpected calls & call variations. Both call and morphology are commonly used to id cicadas; however, when the two collide to produce anomalous and often conflicting id's, pic's alone cannot be assigned with 100% certainty. We do know that some geographic areas seem to be home for several of these difficult groups and pic's from those areas may be "pigeon holed" here until.
In this group, traits are suggestive of canicularis (Best Guess)
Range
Great Lakes States & Upper Mid-West (upper Prairie States)
Habitat
Variable
Forested, Agricultural, Suburban & Urban
Season
late June - early October
Remarks
"Green Tibicen Species"
Collectively, yet informally, referred to as the "Green Tibicen species" (per. comm.), the following cicadas are often difficult to differentiate and all appear to be very closely related. Genitalic analysis of the males suggest these species are very closely related and morphological differences between and among the species can be slight and often overlap.
Some populations morphologically identified as "canicularis", "linnei" &/or "pruinosus" often reveal unexpected calls & call variations. Both call and morphology are commonly udsed to id cicadas; however, when the two collide to produce anomalous and often conflicting id's, pic's alone cannot be assigned with 100% certainty. We do know that some geographic areas seem to be home for several of these difficult groups and pic's from those areas may be "pigeon holed" here until....
It is also thought (based on observations) that several of these may be involved in complex hybrid zones; however, more work is needed to substantiate and better understand these observations.
Tibicen pruinosus pruinosus var. fulvus Beamer 1924 [syn. T. pruinosa var. fulva], "Pale Scissor(s) Grinder Cicada"
There is still some debate as to the audal (call) variations possible between and among populations of conspecifics and additional studies are needed to confirm and qualify these observations. However, despite needed studies involving call varaitions within a taxon, there are examples suggestive of more complex scenarios involving gene exchange between and among taxa. In conversation with a couple cicada specialists, both of whom have sampled this region & concur, there is something unusual in the calls & morphology for many of these populations. Thus far, DNA sampling & comparison methods have been inconclusive; however, there remains little doubt that some of these populations are likely composed of interspecific crosses.
