Tonight I went to Manchester, New Jersey to look and listen for Neotibicen auletes aka the Northern Dusk-Singing cicada. As the name suggests, these cicadas sing at dusk (basically right at sunset). They are also the largest cicadas in North America.
I heard many auletes, found some nymphal skins, and one dead adult. Unfortunately I found no live specimens to film or video. Next time.
* Note as of 2023 the name of this cicada has changed to Megatibicen grossus. You can also call it a Northern Dusk-Signing Cicada.
4 replies on “Megatibicen grossus (formerly Neotibicen auletes) in Manchester, New Jersey”
Seeing a lot of these guys here in Kentucky lately! 🙂
Why haven’t I ever heard neotibicen auletes in my town in south Amboy Nj! All the species I’ve heard so far are neotibicen tibicen, neotibicen Linnie and Neotibicen lyricen.
They aren’t everywhere. Mostly they are in areas with sandy soil with oak trees. I think South Amboy is mostly clay soil and glacial moraine.
Luck of the hunt Dan- at least you have a specimen! Better luck next visit.