d8ed42e6a591b5de63ec3bc3fadc84ec

A member of Brood XIX of the Periodical Cicada (Magicicada sp.), 13 years after their last emergence in 1998. Other areas of the country have 17-year broods, but there appears to be just this one 13-year brood in my immediate area, or at least this is the only one I've noticed in 20 years! Thirteen years ago, I observed the first members of this brood on 27 April, so they are right on time. A few were singing already from nearby trees. Right now, one can hear individuals giving this odd, raspy song. Soon the chorus will be almost deafening.  This may be Magicicada tredecassini Alexander and Moore 1962. In other frames, the underside is completely dark, supposed to be a character for this species. Species ID in this genus is difficult, and the whole taxonomy, IMHO, is unclear--for instance, the 13-year and 17-year broods of similar forms are treated as separate species, but it is not clear that they are.  (Note added later--these do indeed appear to be Magicicada tredecassini.)