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Native to the eastern United States, Magicicada septendecim is one of three species of cicadas that emerge every seventeen years. This species is the largest of the periodical cicadas, measuring around 1.5 inches long. Its coloration is distinctive with broad orange stripes on the underside of the abdomen and orange on the sides of the thorax behind each eye and in front of the fore wings. The three seventeen year cicadas are the longest-lived insects in North America. Also called “seventeen year locusts,” cicadas are not true locusts, a species of grasshopper. Cicadas are more closely related to leafhoppers and treehoppers. Early American colonists observed the emergence of millions of cicadas and mistook them for a Biblical plague of locusts.
Seventeen year cicadas live 2 to 24 inches deep in the soil for seventeen years as larvae. In April of the year at the end of their life cycle, mature nymphs begin burrowing for the surface, remaining about 1 inch deep until conditions are met for its emergence, then crawling about 1 foot up trees and bushes, shedding their larval skin and emerging as adults. Soon after becoming adults, males begin their constant extremely loud singing to attract mates. About 10 days after emergence, females mate and deposit 400-600 eggs in batches of 24-28. Adults live only about 2 to 4 weeks, so none remain alive when the eggs hatch after 6 to 7 weeks, drop to the ground, and enter the soil, starting the cycle again. Seventeen year cicadas are synchronized across the population in a region, meaning that the entire population emerges the same year every seventeen years.
Nature picture credits (left to right): Photo © Andrea Gingerich (profile closeup); Photo © Rhett Stansbury (on branch).
