English

Wikispecies

A Magicicada chorus with M. septendecim, M. cassini, and M. septendecula.

Noun

periodical cicada ‎(plural periodical cicadas)

1. Any of certain species of cicadas, especially in genus Magicicada, which are known for their 17- and 13-year life-cycles, during most of which they develop underground, emerging in large numbers for a short time as large and audible adults, all those emerging in a year constituting a brood.
   • 2013 May 3, Megan Buerger, “Bugged by Cicada Swarm? Don't Be”, in Wall Street Journal:

     An emergence is when a throng of periodical cicadas rises from the ground as soon as the soil reaches about 64 degrees Fahrenheit. The groups of magicicadas, known as broods, surface only once every 13 or 17 years depending on the species.

Synonyms

• seventeen-year locust, decim periodical cicada

Hypernyms

• cicada

See also

• eclosion