Magicicada Brood XIX 2011

Although I usually address Lepidoptera or Coleoptera, I think it is only appropriate to report my findings of the Great Southern Brood XIX (19) of 2011 of Magicicadas. I live in middle Tennessee, approx. 50 miles west of Nashville. I made a quick trip to Nashville last Saturday (June 4), and found a swarm of periodical cicadas that is comparable to their last emergence in 1998, which my wife and I also witnessed. I still have a few specimens from that brood. The most prevalent species in the Nashville area is M. tredecassini, the smallest of the 13 year cicadas. I also found the larger species, M. tredecim, and possibly neotredecim (which was recently discovered in 2000), in the county just west of my location. Magicicada species are generally quite similar, however their singing patterns can vary greatly. It isn't uncommon to find different species coexisting within the same area at the same time. The combined chorus is rather loud, and the sound can be compared to an alien spaceship from a 50's sci-fi movie if you will. For anyone that appreciates the natural world, or is especially interested in insects, this is one of those rare occurences you don't want to miss. After all it will only be around for a few weeks, not to be seen or heard again until 13 years later(2024). There are other broods in various areas that will make their appearance in the upcoming years, some of which are the 17 year cicadas, of which I think we here in Tennessee only get one brood of. The specimen in the photo is Magicicada tredecassini, and the photo was taken in Nashville June 4 2011. Tom