# Lyric Cicada (*neotibicen lyricen*) The Lyric Cicada is known for its amazing singing abilities! These insects create beautiful sounds that can be heard on warm summer days. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Lyric Cicadas live in wooded areas and gardens where there are plenty of trees. - **Also known as:** Singing Bug, Summer Bug ![Lyric Cicada](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Neotibicen_lyricen_lyricen_P1450716a.jpg&width=800) Photo: xpda, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neotibicen_lyricen_lyricen_P1450716a.jpg) ## Appearance The Lyric Cicada has a dark body, often black or very dark brown, with distinct greenish-yellow markings. These bright accents are typically found on its pronotal collar and sometimes along the wing veins. Its wings are clear and transparent, and its back displays a faint but noticeable 'W' shaped pattern. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Cicadidae - **Genus:** Neotibicen ## Interesting facts - Adult cicadas spend only a few weeks above ground, but they sure make a lot of noise! - Lyric Cicadas have tiny drum-like ears on their belly to hear their loud songs! - Their clear wings shimmer like cellophane, helping them fly unseen through the trees! - They shed their skin when they become adults, leaving behind a cool, empty shell! ## Special abilities - **Root Drinker:** Lyric Cicada has a strong, straw-like mouthpart that helps them drink nourishing sap from tree roots and branches throughout their life. - **Underground Survivor:** Lyric Cicada nymphs can live several years deep underground, safely feeding on tree root sap until they are ready to emerge. - **Tree Mimic:** Lyric Cicada has a dark body with unique patterns that helps them camouflage perfectly against tree bark, hiding from predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-70 mm - **Size:** 25-33 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 7 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding They drink tree sap using a straw-like mouth, like nature's juice boxes! - **Age differences:** Nymphs feed on sap from tree roots underground, while adults feed on sap from branches and stems. - **Primary Foods:** xylem sap, oak sap, maple sap, elm sap, willow sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp (*Sphecius speciosus*) — This large wasp paralyzes cicadas to feed its young. - **Eats:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Robins and other birds commonly prey on emerging and adult cicadas. - **Eats:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Squirrels will sometimes snack on adult cicadas they find. - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Cicada nymphs and adults feed on the sap of oak trees. ## 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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lyric 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 Lyric Cicada's wingspan? 50-70 mm ### How big is Lyric Cicada? 25-33 mm ### How long does Lyric Cicada live? 15-30 days ### How fast can Lyric Cicada fly? 7 km/h ### What does Lyric Cicada eat? They drink tree sap using a straw-like mouth, like nature's juice boxes! ### Where is Lyric Cicada usually found? Lyric Cicadas live in wooded areas and gardens where there are plenty of trees. ### How does Lyric Cicada hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [City of Camden Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-of-camden-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Kanapaha Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kanapaha-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Collingwood Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/collingwood-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Lyric Cicada](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lyric-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: [Lyric Cicada: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lyric-cicada)