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Cicada Sightings in Illinois

Sightings Category: Cicadas

Cicada Sightings in Illinois

hello
i see u are a cicada fan . me to i live in illinois and i find three tibicen speceis as seen in these photos a chlomera the big one walkeri then what i think is a pruinosa can u tell . this is the most common in illinois it has a song that goes eer eer eer eer .

but there is one other , u are the expert on these, lyricen , i hear them all the time but i have never been able to obtain one why can i find all the others but not the lyrecen , the chlomeras can only be found in woodlands they will not come in towns here they are harder to find but them lyrecens are what im looking for any advice, and yes i to serch parks, it could be to late in the year

Date Posted: 2006-08-23 Comments: (1) Show Comments Hide Comments

Comments

Posted By: Massachusetts Cicadas | On: 2010-11-26 | Website:

Hi There

Thank you for your email. Your identification of the below specimens is spot on with the exception of the T. pruinosa. A side view shot of the forewing will indicate if it is T. pruinosa or T. linnei.

Tibicen linnei has a distinct bend on the forward edge which distinquishes it from pruinosa. I'll be able to tell if you have a side image.

With regards to T. lyricen, you are correct, this year for me has been very difficult to find one during eclosing (the molting process) I have only been successful in catching a few with my net or finding a cicada killer burrow then watching to see what the cicada killer brings back. I have obtained several T. lyricens this way. I think this year is the only year that I have not been able to obtain a T. lyricen while molting.

You probably won't be able to obtain a T. lyricen this year during the eclose process as I think they are pretty much done for the year. But they are around still. Tibicen cicadas especially T. lyricens are attracted to light so you may want to set some lights up outside to see if you can get one that way.

Another way is to get an insect net. I have one that has extensions poles and can reach up to 16 feet! I can buy more poles to make it go higher too. If you want more info on where to obtain one of these let me know and I will send you the info.

Another type of area where I like to look for cicadas is in cemeteries. Cemeteries have very old well established trees and female cicadas love to oviposit in them. Since the ground around the trees are rarely disturbed you can find all types of cicadas eclosing on the sides of those trees.

That is interesting about what you say about T. chloromera, I find the opposite. I find that T. chloromera live anywhere where there is water that is why they are known as the "swamp cicada" Even in cities where there are rivers lakes and swamps I can usually find T. chloromera.

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