Definition

Noun: * An insect species (Magicicada spp.) native to eastern North America, known for its extremely long, synchronized, and periodic life cycle. The nymphs (immature stage) live underground for either 13 or 17 years before emerging all at once in massive numbers as adults to mate, lay eggs, and then die.

Usage

• The periodical cicada is famous for its remarkable life cycle, one of the longest of any insect.
• Scientists study the synchronized emergence of periodical cicadas to understand population dynamics.
• The loud buzzing chorus of a periodical cicada brood can be heard for miles.

Advanced Usage

• "Brood": This term is specifically used to refer to a distinct regional population of periodical cicadas that emerge in a given year. Each brood is assigned a Roman numeral (e.g., Brood X, Brood XIII).
  • Brood XIX, a 13-year periodical cicada brood, emerged across the southeastern United States.

Variants and Related Words

• Magicicada (n): The scientific genus name for the periodical cicada.
• Annual cicada (n): A different type of cicada with a shorter, 2-5 year life cycle, so some adults emerge every summer, giving the appearance of an annual event.
• Nymph (n): The immature, wingless, underground stage of a cicada's life.

Synonyms

• Seventeen-year locust (n): A common but inaccurate historical name for the 17-year periodical cicada (cicadas are not true locusts).
• Thirteen-year cicada (n): Specifically refers to the periodical cicada species with a 13-year life cycle.

Related Phrases

• To emerge (v): The key action associated with periodical cicadas when the nymphs leave the ground and molt into adults.
  • The cicadas are expected to emerge in late May.
• Molting shell / exoskeleton (n): The brittle, tan outer skin left behind on trees and posts after the adult cicada emerges from it.
  • The trees were covered in the molting shells of periodical cicadas.

Noun

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