thelope.com - Cicada: Tibicen dealbatus 08-09-15-139

[Mantisman630]

What is the difference between T. dealbatus and T. pronotalis?

[acejackalope]

@Mantisman630 I've been asking entomologists and cicada experts about that. Some think the two are variations of the same species, especially because there are reported hybrids and the song (a secondary sexual characteristic) is the same . Others think they are separate species. In appearance, dealbatus has much more pruinosity (whiteness) than does pronotalis. In behavior, I have read pronotalis prefers riparian zones. In my own observations, dealbatus has no particular preference.