# Pharaoh Cicada (*Magicicada septendecim*) The Pharaoh Cicada is a loud insect known for its buzzing song. They spend most of their lives underground and come out in big groups every 17 years to sing and mate! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Periodical Cicada, Seventeen-Year Cicada ![Pharaoh Cicada](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Magicicada_septendecim.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magicicada_septendecim.jpg) ## Appearance The Pharaoh Cicada has a sturdy black body, striking red eyes, and clear wings distinctly veined with orange. A small, dark "W" shape often marks their forewings, setting them apart visually. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hemiptera - **Family:** Cicadidae - **Genus:** Magicicada ## Interesting facts - After emerging, adults live just a few weeks to mate and lay eggs. - Millions can emerge at once, sometimes blanketing landscapes! - Their distinct wing marks were once believed to predict future wars! - They use tiny sensors on their legs to detect vibrations underground. ## Special abilities - **Time Travel:** Pharaoh Cicadas have an astonishingly long life cycle that helps them avoid predators by emerging only every 17 years. - **Sap Sip:** Pharaoh Cicadas have straw-like mouthparts that help them drink nourishing sap from the roots and branches of trees. - **Molting Magic:** Pharaoh Cicadas can shed their entire outer skin as nymphs, allowing them to grow bigger underground. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-60 mm - **Size:** 25-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 28-42 days - **Flight Speed:** 5-8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Pharaoh Cicadas drink sap from tree roots and branches like tiny, living straws. - **Age differences:** Nymphs feed on root sap underground, adults feed on branch sap above ground. - **Primary Foods:** Xylem sap, Oak sap, Maple sap, Apple sap - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** Cicada Killer Fungus (*Massospora cicadina*) — A special fungus infects and uses cicadas to spread its spores. - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Nymphs and adults drink sap from this common forest tree. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Birds feast on easy-to-catch cicadas during mass emergences. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons also join the feast when cicadas emerge in large numbers. ## 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. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [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. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Cicadas are harmless, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pharaoh 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 Pharaoh Cicada's wingspan? 50-60 mm ### How big is Pharaoh Cicada? 25-30 mm ### How long does Pharaoh Cicada live? 28-42 days ### How fast can Pharaoh Cicada fly? 5-8 km/h ### What does Pharaoh Cicada eat? Pharaoh Cicadas drink sap from tree roots and branches like tiny, living straws. ### Where is Pharaoh Cicada usually found? Forests ### How does Pharaoh Cicada hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Charlestown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlestown-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Cleveland Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cleveland-park) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood - [Elk Neck State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elk-neck-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest - [Rock Creek Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rock-creek-regional-park) — Maryland, US · Park - [West Potomac Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/west-potomac-park) — District of Columbia, US · Park - [Woodley Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/woodley-park) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Pharaoh Cicada](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pharaoh-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: [Pharaoh Cicada: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pharaoh-cicada)