Tibicen canicularis
Mark Moran
Tibicen canicularis
Mark Moran
The Dogday Harvestfly is
in the Cicada Family. There are many different species of
cicadas, but this one can be seen every year, while some
other species are only seen every few years. Some cicada
species are only seen every 13 or 17 years! The Dogday Harvestfly is
black with green markings. It also has green wings which
stretch over three inches when spread. The body of this
cicada is a little over an inch long. Dogday Harvestflies are
seen in late Summer. More often they are heard. Their loud
call sounds like an electric saw. This is the sound of male
cicadas calling for the females. Different species of
cicadas have different sounds. Dogday Harvestflies only sing
during the day. These cicadas live in
woods with either deciduous
trees (ones that lose their leaves in the Fall) or pine
trees. This insect gets its name
because it is seen and heard during the "Dog days of
Summer," when it is most hot. Copyright, Troy
Bartlett Jean Dubuc Jean Dubuc
The life cycle of this insect is very interesting. Many males get together to call the females. They do this from the tops of trees.
After mating, the female Dogday Harvestfly uses her ovipositor (pointy tube at the back of her abdomen) to cut open a twig. She then lays eggs inside it. The eggs hatch in about six weeks.
This insect has a nymph stage. That means it keeps eating and growing without becoming a pupa (resting stage, or coccoon). Once the nymph is born, it leaves the tree and burrows into the ground.
Nymphs live underground for three years, sucking juices from tree roots. They especially like pine trees, but they will feed on oaks and other trees as well.
In the Summer of their third year, the nymphs will crawl out of the ground and start climbing the host tree. Partway up, the nymph will get rid of its exoskeleton (outer skin). It is now an adult Dogday Harvestfly.
Adult cicadas do not eat. After they mate they fall from the trees and die.
Copyright, Kory Roberts
Dogday Harvestflies have many predators, including a great number of birds. They are also a favorite food of Copperheads. A wasp, called the Cicada Killer, specializes in eating Dogday Harvestflies.
Relationships in Nature:
Willow Oak Eastern Garter Snake
Relationship to Humans:
Dogday Harvestflies don't have a great impact on people. They are often confused with periodical cicadas (the ones that come out every 13 or 17 years). Periodical cicadas can do a lot of damage to trees and plants. Some people enjoy the noise Dogday Harvestflies make as a sound of Summer. Others don't care for it. These insects are an important food source for animals we value, such as birds and snakes.
