Insects and Spiders - native

Cicadas (family Cicadidae) on Jun 21, 2021

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

I'm from the south so I didn't initially think anything of it, but I heard the sound of a small group of cicadas coming from the trees near where I was reading. I was so confused when I realised there are not supposed to be cicadas in Portland that I stood up to check where the sound was coming from. I couldn't find any physical signs I'm used to for cicadas, like dead ones or empty shells, but there were definitely in the trees and making noise. They also weren't vocalising as much as I'm used too but when the air temperature hit about 95F I assume it was finally warm enough in the shade for them to start up.

Commentary

Dear Paloma, thank you for your report on the cicada. Here is what my local expert had to say: "I don’t know how loud our cicadas are relative to the eastern species - I don’t recall from being back in Maine. Ours (we have about ten or so species, if I recall) can be pretty loud - like a very audible high-tension wire buzzing. If there were several, that would certainly increase the effect. Although it seems early for them to me, I vaguely recall hearing one a day or so ago. Indeed, the hot weather (especially once 90-ish) incites them to “start up the band”. Probably people don’t realize we have them as they don’t have the strongly synchronized emergence of many of the eastern species."
I hope this helps.
Thank you and best regards, Helmuth Rogg

Helmuth Rogg
June 21, 2021, 8:09 a.m.

Location

Was unable to get any physical exampls of exactly which kind I was hearing, but definitely heard cicadas in the trees on the west side of the park about halfway between the north and south ends of the park where the walkway turns in toward the playground.

Expert Reviewer

Mr. Helmuth Rogg

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