Tibicinoides boweni

The simiple(r) differential diagnosis between this species and the allopatric O. simulata and the sympatric O. utahensis is as follows: O. boweni has lateral pronotal margins subparallel giving it a quadrate appearance and has a long yellow longitudinal sulcus on the anterior half of the pronotum. O. simulata also has a quadrate pronotum but lacks the deep yellow sulcus. O. utahensis has the sulcus but is constricted apically along the lateral margins of the pronotum. Thus a quadrate pronotum with a yellow sulcus will identify O. boweni. The songs of O. utahensis and O. boweni also differ greatly (Chatfield-Taylor and Cole 2020). While the above differential diagnosis is the fastest way to identify Okanagana boweni from similar species, the single distinguishing feature is an incurved adeagus when viewing the uncus in the lateral aspect. Female do not have an obvious secondary notch in their 7th sternite, which is also different from O. utahensis and O. simulata. This is the first species to be described in a revision of Okanagana Distant. It is worth noting that the incurved aedeagus is diagnostic from O. simulata and O. utahensis, other taxa with a hook to the uncus such O. rubrovenosa are strongly incurved. However, none of which could be confused with O. boweni. The overall impression is a large cicada that is most similar to O. simulata in aspect but to O. utahensis in pattern. This may possibly be due to primary habitat. Recently transferred from Okanagana to Tibicinoides by Cole et al. 2023.