Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada
Megatibicen cultriformis
This record describes Megatibicen cultriformis (species). Recorded family: Cicadidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
Appears to be most closely related to T. pronotalis & T. dealbatus
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)
- Suborder
- Auchenorrhyncha
- Superfamily
- Cicadoidea
- Family
- Cicadidae (Cicadas)
- Subfamily
- Cicadinae
- Tribe
- Tacuini
- Genus
- Megatibicen
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
"Riparian" Arroyos and river basins Flood plain "forests" of the southwest & usu. associated with ecosystems plentiful in Cottonwoods, Willows, and Sycamore (+ adj./associated Hardwood forests and grasslands)
Geographic Range
"Desert southwest" Replaces the T. dealbatus-pronotalis group in the arid Southwest Well known from Arizona and northern Mexico. Reported from the following: Arizona, w. New Mexico, s. Colorado, and w. Texas* (reports from w. TX are not confirmed & remain suspect/unlikely?) *NOTE: Some cultriformis reports may be based on the similar looking T. dealbatus, which may be duller in coloration across parts of its southwestern range - incl. TX, NM, and CO).
Seasonal Activity
June-November
Diet and Behavior
Diet: It is thought this species (much like the related taxa - pronotalis & dealbatus) seems to prefer sycamores (Plantanaceae), cottonwoods & willows (Salicaceae) Also reported from, but less commonly associated with, misc. other flood plain hardwoods.
Life History
eggs usually laid in dead twigs, wood or bark (occasionally eggs may be laid in living stems and twigs) eggs hatch and nymphs burrow into the soil nymphs feed on the sap in roots for several years (prefer Pines) Final instar nymphs emerge and develop into winged adults (emergence for this species usu. occurs at night)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: From Latin culter- "knife, plowshare" + forma- "form, shape, appearance" According to Davis: "But the greatest differences are in the lower pieces [of the male genitalia] into which the uncus locks, which are 5 millimeters long in cultriformis , and when seen in profile are shaped like the blade of a pruning knife, hence the name."
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Megatibicen cultriformis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hemiptera (true bugs) includes over 80,000 described species across cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers, shield bugs, and bed bugs. Aphids alone cost global agriculture an estimated $2.5 billion annually in crop losses.
Ecological role of the group
Many Hemiptera are essential food sources for birds and predatory insects. Cicadas provide massive nutrient pulses during emergence events - a single Brood X emergence can involve trillions of individuals across 15 states.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) caused $37 million in apple crop losses in a single year in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Bed bug infestations in the U.S. increased by 500% between 2001-2010, costing the hotel industry hundreds of millions annually.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, EPA, University research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Bill Reynolds
Frequently Asked Questions About Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada
What is Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada?
Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada (Megatibicen cultriformis) is a species in the family Cicadidae, within the order Hemiptera.
Where is Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Riparian Arroyos and river basins Flood plain forests of the southwest & usu. associated with ecosystems plentiful in Cottonwoods, Willows, and Sycamore (+ adj./associated Hardwood forests and grasslands) |
| Range | Desert southwest Replaces the T. dealbatus-pronotalis group in the arid Southwest Well known from Arizona and northern Mexico. Reported from the following: Arizona, w. New Mexico, s. Colorado, and w. Texas* (reports from w. TX are not confirmed & remain suspect/unlikely?) *NOTE: Some cultriformis reports may be based on the similar looking T. dealbatus, which may be duller in coloration across parts of its southwestern range - incl. TX, NM, and CO). |
What does Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada eat?
The diet of the Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada includes It is thought this species (much like the related taxa - pronotalis & dealbatus) seems to prefer sycamores (Plantanaceae), cottonwoods & willows (Salicaceae) Also reported from, but less commonly associated with, misc. other flood plain hardwoods..
When is Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada active?
Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada: seasonal activity - June-November.
What is the life cycle of a Grand Western Flood Plain Cicada?
eggs usually laid in dead twigs, wood or bark (occasionally eggs may be laid in living stems and twigs) eggs hatch and nymphs burrow into the soil nymphs feed on the sap in roots for several years (prefer Pines) Final instar nymphs emerge and develop into winged adults (emergence for this species usu. occurs at night)