FPDDC Cicada Adventures 2024's Journal

We are now about a month into the 2024 magicicada emergence, in the forest preserves! So far there have been over 500 observations of periodical cicada added to the project. Let's discuss what we've learned so far.

1. Periodical cicadas are spreading. Natural dispersal is slow, since cicadas are not great fliers, but is certainly evident. From 2007 to 2024, cicadas are being found 3 to 5 miles further west, and have expanded north by 2 to 3 miles. We have confirmed periodical cicadas in nearly every forest preserve across DuPage County. The two properties where magicicada are not present; Dunham forest preserve and James 'Pate' Philip State Park.

2. Decula cicadas are not easy to identify. Read our journal post on why M. septendecula observations are under heavy review.
   https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fpddc-cicada-adventures-2024/journal/95897-decula-dilemma

3. Massospora infections are concentrated. The occurrence of M. cicadina - also known as "flying saltshaker fungus" - is really concentrated in the eastern portion of DuPage County. In 2007, District staff observed Massospora only at Maple Grove forest preserve, however, this year's hotspot is Fullersburg Woods forest preserve in Oak Brook. There has been sightings at Maple Grove and Waterfall Glen forest preserves as well. However, there have been three sightings in the center of the county, evidence that the fungus was dispersed during the 2007 emergence.
4. People are fascinated by periodical cicadas! We have hosted three Cicada Adventures programs and each was well attended. Over 230 people visited Fullersburg Woods and St. James Farm forest preserves to learn about cicadas and take guided hikes. Some were repeat visitors, like iNaturalist member @ashley__miller_ while others travelled great distances to learn about cicadas! A couple drove all the way from Sioux Falls, SD to experience the emergence. A visitor hopped on the AmTrak on Friday, departing from New Hampshire, to make it to the Saturday program at St. James! A father and son visiting from England made the third program a must-do on their itinerary across America. Thanks for all who attended!

It looks like we are past the peak of the brood XIII emergence. We are finding oviposited eggs on branches, dead cicadas beneath trees, and a notable drop in decibel levels. Nevertheless, keep looking for cicadas! We're still hoping to find the latest emergence date (see if you can find a freshly emerged 'white' cicada) and we're keeping any eye on the latest singing date. Because the emergence is still rolling, this project will be extended into July.

Decula cicadas are incredibly difficult to identify. M. septendecula presence in DuPage Co. is still questionable. There have been many reports of Decula cicadas throughout the area, however, without audio confirmation, it is nearly impossible to confirm a cicada as Decula due to the high variability of Cassin's (M. cassinii) in the region.

iNaturalist cicada communiy expert, @weecorbie, has been incredibly helpful in diligently reviewing each Decula observation. They even visited the region to look at cicadas in some of the forest preserves to get a greater understanding of the variability. It turns out that many Cassin's cicadas are retaining orange edging on their abdomens after their exoskeletons harden. The orange edging often slightly fades to black in the center of the abdomen, a big clue that the cicada is not a Decula. Additionally, there have been many "dark pharaohs", or M. septendecim that show brown rather than orange coloration. These have been tripping up identifiers as well.

All in all, there has not been a confirmed Decula in the forest preserves yet. There are many strong candidates, however, they will need additional review. Please keep taking picture of Decula cicada candidates and we will keep reviewing them!

On May 22, 115 visitors enjoyed cicada craft activities and guided hikes at Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve. During our cicada hikes we explored species ID and observed M. cassinii, M. septendecim, and M. septemdecula. The most interesting find was a pharaoh cicada missing its abdomen and exhibiting the fruiting body of a fungus, Massospora cicadina.

Cicadas with Massospora have been portrayed in the media as 'zombie cicadas', which is half-true. Massospora infects 17-year and 13-year periodical cicadas, typically while they are in their nymph stage. The fungal spores are spread into the soil and will lie dormant in cicadas until they emerge from underground. However, once emerged, Massospora releases psilocybin into the cicada's body which alters the cicada's behavior - causing it to become increasingly reproductively active, despite missing a third of it's body and all reproductive organs. These hyper... 'active' individuals flick their wings to attract other cicadas to them and attempt mating with the other cicadas to spread the spores. As cicadas begin to die off, post-mating, their dead carcasses fall to the ground and the spores are returned to the soil where they can find a new cicada nymph over the next 17 or 13 years.

NOTE: This is a totally natural part of nature. Cicadas infected with Massospora are not a risk to human health either.

This is an incredibly uncommon occurrence in our state. Before 2024, only two iNaturalist records of Massospora cicadina were documented in Illinois. With the discovery of Massospora in DuPage County, there is great interest in discovering what other forest preserves the fungus may be present at. Therefore, the taxa of Massospora cicadina has been added to this project to help scientists track its presence. If you find a cicada with a Massospora infection, document it with the identification of Massospora (cicadina) and in the notes, describe the species of cicada.

As of 5/13, magicicada began emerging in DuPage County! The earliest emerging periodical cicadas were found in areas with exposed soil that was warmed by the sun at a higher rate than shaded soil. Many disturbed habitats, such as those in restoration sites at Lyman Woods, Willowbrook and Fullersburg Woods, had emerging cicadas as soon as 5/16.

Remember to snap pictures of cicada's undersides (abdomen) to help scientists ID cicadas down to species. Also, try recording some audio. If more than one species is present at a forest preserve, make multiple recordings to that both species can be documented!

Have fun out there, enjoy this blink-of-an-eye phenomenon, and happy cicada hunting.

The 2024 Magicicada emergence will comprise of three species of 17-year cicada in the forest preserves. Though the nymphs are rather indistinguishable, the adults may be identified down to species.

Differences in visual appearances are subtle. Pharaoh Cicada has orange and black stripes on its abdomen while Cassin's Cicada has a nearly all-black abdomen (but may show slight orange edging on the abdomen sections). Cassin's Cicada is smaller than the Pharoah Cicada. Decula is about the same size as Cassin's Cicada but the abdomen is black with orange stripes. The big difference between Decula and Cassin's Cicadas is the female Decula's ovipositor will be exposed while the female Cassin's ovipositor will be hidden away.

This video by Cicada Mania does a great job of breaking down species differences:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4Q065vFFdI

The best way to identify what cicadas are around is to listen to their songs. 4-5 days after emergence, males cicadas begin singing and each of the three species have a unique song!

Cassin's Cicada has a song that starts with a series of clicks followed by a rising buzz.
"tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-buzzzzzzzzzzzzz"

Decula Cicada has a song that is a series of rhytmic, raspy buzzes that become more rapid in pace before transitioning into lisp sounds.
"buzzzz-buzzz-buzz-buz-buz-buz-biz-biz-bis-bisp-bisp-bisp-bisp"

Pharaoh Cicada has low droning call that is finished with a downward drop in tone.
"waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay-ooooh, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay-ooooh"

This website has some great recordings of Magicicada to help you learn their songs a little better.
https://songsofinsects.com/cicadas/periodical-cicada

Using the record audio option on iNaturalist will allow you to add recordings of cicada songs to the project. This will be valuable in helping our ecologists to know the species compositions across forest preserves.

With great anticipation we wait for the mass emergence of Magicicada in 2024. On April 23 the first Magicicada observations of the project were made at Fullersburg Woods and Maple Grove forest preserves. Nymphs were found just below the surface of the ground; underneath rocks, logs and other items embedded more than one inch, there are cicada tunnels that terminate just below. Some of these tunnels have nymphs, a little sluggish, poking out their heads. At this time, it is difficult to distinguish the species of the nymphs.

Observations of nymphs made on April 29 at Blackwell forest preserve tell a different story. As logs were turned over, nymphs quickly scuttled back into their tunnels. Those poking out retreated backwards down the hole. This increased reaction speed and movement is a sign that emergence will soon be here.