Update: Mike’s website Giant Cicada / Chicharra Grande has records of the early calling. 3 to 4 months early!
Mike Quinn, @EntoMike on Twitter, reported on February 22nd that Quesada gigas have been singing in Texas.
Giant Cicadas / Chicharras are currently calling at several southmost TX locations.https://t.co/F21FJnl7iM #RGV
Contact me for details. pic.twitter.com/RkGjv0VOMG— Mike Quinn (@EntoMike) February 22, 2017
Listen to their song:
Source: ©Insect Singers | Species: Q. gigas
Photo credit: Photo by Leonardo Milhomem.
More information about Quesada gigas.
They are out by the thousands in central Ohio right now! Sound is awesome!
It sure does seem early. It would be interesting to analyze historical records to see if Q. gigas is arriving earlier each year and possibly extending its range northward. The species may be a southern counterpart climate change indicator to disappearing and retreating glaciers in the north.
Of this fascinating species, W. T. Davis (1944) wrote:
“It is the only known American cicada that may be found in the mature or winged form every month in the year in some part of its extensive north and south distribution of about 4,000 miles, from southern Texas through Mexico, Central America, South America into Argentina.”
It would be interesting to know if Mike thinks that these are out earlier than usual this year.
I’ll ask. He follows me on Twitter.
FYI, there are records on Mike’s website Giant Cicada / Chicharra Grande. Seems like 3 to 4 months early.
Thanks, that’s a great page on gigas.