Plains Dog-day Cicada
Neotibicen auriferus
This record describes Neotibicen auriferus (species). Recorded family: Cicadidae. Recorded order: Hemiptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
- Neotibicen (Dogday Cicadas)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Typically found in open meadows and fields adj. to forests. This cicada is similar in size and habit to T. davisi . NOTE: The closely related T. davisi is most associated with pines. However, unlike T. davisi , auriferus can be found in areas where pines are few and far between, and does not seem to share host preferences with the latter.
Geographic Range
Appears to replace T. davisi west of the Mississippi River. [Louisiana, e. & c. Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, possibly into Iowa and the s./e. periphery of adjacent Plains states] Possibly w. Miss., sw. TN ... (compare with ssp. harnedi, currently attached to T. davisi?) (T. davisi ssp. harnedi is similar to auriferus in many respects and the taxonomic relationship between these taxa is not well established)
Seasonal Activity
July-Sept
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Various vascular plants
About True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hemiptera, the group containing Neotibicen auriferus. 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 Plains Dog-day Cicada (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Will Chatfield-Taylor; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Bill Reynolds
Frequently Asked Questions About Plains Dog-day Cicada
Where is Plains Dog-day Cicada found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Typically found in open meadows and fields adj. to forests. This cicada is similar in size and habit to T. davisi . NOTE: The closely related T. davisi is most associated with pines. However, unlike T. davisi , auriferus can be found in areas where pines are few and far between, and does not seem to share host preferences with the latter. |
| Range | Appears to replace T. davisi west of the Mississippi River. [Louisiana, e. & c. Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, possibly into Iowa and the s./e. periphery of adjacent Plains states] Possibly w. Miss., sw. TN ... (compare with ssp. harnedi, currently attached to T. davisi?) (T. davisi ssp. harnedi is similar to auriferus in many respects and the taxonomic relationship between these taxa is not well established) |
What does Plains Dog-day Cicada eat?
The diet of the Plains Dog-day Cicada includes Various vascular plants.
When is Plains Dog-day Cicada active?
Plains Dog-day Cicada: seasonal activity - July-Sept.