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Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache)
(Class Insecta, Order Hemiptera)
Invertebrates Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas
Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache)
Dark body with yellow band

Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache) (Family Cicadidae) are the bugs that make huge buzzing noises in the trees during summer in the desert southwest -- fortunately, only the males buzz. Cicadas are recognized by their large size, the large eyes that protrude from opposite sides of the head, and the transparent wings with distinct veins. Desert Cicadas are dark overall with a yellow band across the back.

Cicada reproduce by laying eggs in the stems of plants. The larvae hatch and drop to the ground where they burrow into the soil and live underground for years (some species stay under for 17 years). Eventually, they come up out of the ground, shed their exoskeleton, and emerge as an adults. The males then buzz, mate, and die; females mate, lay eggs, and die.

Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache)
Big eyes and long, tubular mouthpart

Desert Cicadas are harmless to humans, except that if you let one sit on you long enough, it might get hungry and try to feed on you. If so, the long mouthpart would hurt when jabbed into your skin.

Adult cicadas feed on plant juices, using their long, tubular mouth-part to pierce plant stems. Immature cicadas live underground and feed on roots and other underground plant parts.

In North American, there are more than 160 species of cicada.

For more information, see Wikipedia and BugGuide.net.

Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache) Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache)
Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache)
Note the two pairs of wings
Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache)
This cicada has lots its main flight wings
Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache) Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache)
Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache)
Shed exoskeleton of a juvenile cicada
Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache)
Piercing and sucking mouthparts
Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache)
Clear wings with dark veins
Desert Cicada (Diceroprocta apache)
Shed skins -- these can really pile up after a good year
Note: All distances, elevations, and other facts are approximate.
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