# Cassin's 17-year Cicada (*Magicicada cassinii*) Cassin's 17-year Cicada is a special bug that only comes out every 17 years! They make loud buzzing sounds to find friends and are often seen in trees during the summer. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Cassin's 17-year Cicada](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Magicicada_cassinii-male_dorsal.jpg&width=800) Photo: Peterwchen, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magicicada_cassinii-male_dorsal.jpg) ## Appearance The Cassin's 17-year Cicada has a mostly black body with striking bright red eyes. Its clear wings are distinguished by prominent orange-red veins. It is visually smaller and stockier compared to some other periodical cicada species, adding to its unique appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Cicadidae - **Genus:** Magicicada ## Interesting facts - A single brood can have billions of cicadas erupting from the ground! - Males create a loud, drumming chorus, while females respond with wing clicks. - Their eyes are bright red, making them look like tiny aliens! - They drink sap from tree roots for 17 years before emerging. ## Special abilities - **Prime Time Survivor:** Cassin's 17-year Cicada has a 17-year life cycle (a prime number) that helps them avoid predators with shorter, even-numbered life cycles. - **Concert Caller:** Male cicadas can produce a distinct, loud buzzing call using special vibrating membranes (tymbals) that helps them attract mates from far away. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-80 mm - **Size:** 25-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 6190-6220 days - **Flight Speed:** 10 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Tiny straws help them drink yummy sap from tree roots and twigs. - **Age differences:** Nymphs feed on tree root sap underground, while adults briefly feed on twig sap above ground. - **Primary Foods:** tree root xylem sap, twig xylem sap, plant fluids - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-crow) (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*) — Crows are opportunistic predators. - **Parasitizes:** Cicada Fungus (*Massospora cicadina*) — Infects cicadas, controlling behavior. - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Nymphs feed on roots, adults on sap. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons feast on emerging cicadas. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Cicadas are safe to watch, but don't touch them too much. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cassin's 17-year Cicada? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Cassin's 17-year Cicada's wingspan? 60-80 mm ### How big is Cassin's 17-year Cicada? 25-30 mm ### How long does Cassin's 17-year Cicada live? 6190-6220 days ### How fast can Cassin's 17-year Cicada fly? 10 km/h ### What does Cassin's 17-year Cicada eat? Tiny straws help them drink yummy sap from tree roots and twigs. ### Where is Cassin's 17-year Cicada usually found? Forests ### How does Cassin's 17-year Cicada hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Lilacia Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lilacia-park) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Scoville Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/scoville-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [Stanley M. Rowe Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stanley-m-rowe-arboretum) — Ohio, US · Botanical Garden - [Little Miami State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/little-miami-state-park) — Ohio, US · State Park - [Mount Vernon Square](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-vernon-square) — District of Columbia, US · Park [View all places to see Cassin's 17-year Cicada](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cassins-17-year-cicada) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Cassin's 17-year Cicada: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cassins-17-year-cicada)