Scissor Grinder (Tibicen aulites)

Neocicada hieroglyphica

Photo courtesy Pete Williams, Gulf Breeze, Florida
Copyright (c) 2007 Pete Williams
June 8, 2007

The Periodical Cicadas is also known as 17-Year Cicadas. Under normal conditions these creatures measure about 2 inches long. The head is broad, and the wings are transparent or smoky. Its preferred habitat is woods, brush areas, and yards.

The sucking tube in these insects is shorter than that of a true bug and it extends from the rear underside of the head. The forewings, entirely thin and transparent or smoky, are usually held over the body like a tent when the insect is at rest.