Definition

Proper noun A species of periodical cicada native to eastern North America. It is characterized by its exceptionally long, 17-year life cycle, spending most of its life underground as a nymph before emerging synchronously in massive numbers as an adult insect.

Usage

• is one of the most well-known periodical cicadas due to its long life cycle.
• Scientists study the synchronized emergence of to understand biological rhythms.
• The loud chorus of a brood is a distinctive sound of some North American summers.

Advanced Usage

• Taxonomic Context: In scientific literature, the genus name is often italicized, and the species name (meaning "seventeen" in Latin) is always written in lowercase.
• Ecological Role: The mass emergence of provides a sudden, abundant food source for predators and nutrients to the soil upon their death.

Variants and Related Words

• Periodical cicada (n): The common name for insects of the genus , which includes and other species with 13 or 17-year cycles.
• Brood (n): A term used to describe a specific year-class or generation of periodical cicadas, such as "Brood X" which contains .
• Nymph (n): The immature, underground stage of the cicada's life cycle.

Synonyms

• Seventeen-year locust (n): A common, though technically inaccurate, name for (cicadas are not true locusts).

Related Phrases

• To emerge: The key action associated with this insect, as in "The cicadas are expected to emerge this spring."
• Life cycle: The central concept for understanding this species, as in "The 17-year life cycle of is a fascinating natural phenomenon."

Noun

1. North American cicada; appears in great numbers at infrequent intervals because the nymphs take 13 to 17 years to mature