Cicadas of Ontario

Ontario has 10 species of cicadas. They are quite easy to identify by song, but a bit more challenging by sight. This guide includes audio as well as range information and details for identifying all of them from photos. I hope it is helpful!

Thanks to input from a couple cicada experts and others interested in Ontario cicadas for helping improve the guide.

Please let me know if you see any mistakes or have any suggestions!

Posted on July 13, 2021 03:29 PM by upupa-epops upupa-epops

Comments

Very helpful - thank you!

Posted by gullchasedship almost 3 years ago

Nicely done! Thank you!

Posted by pdsmith almost 3 years ago

This is helpful from an Ontario perspective. A few things I have noticed from listening to cicadas for a few years and comparing songs to those on the website "Song of Insects" which is excellent. In Brantford of the larger species, I only hear Northern Dog-Day Cicada. I have never heard Linne's (Angled Dog-Day Cicada) and yet when I go to Stratford (frequently) I hear Linne's there and I am not sure I have heard Northern. I find this regional distribution fascinating. On the 5th of August 2019 I heard what sounded like a dead-ringer for Swamp Cicada sing in my backyard in Brantford twice. I did not respond to recordings from "Songs of Insects". On reflection I wonder if these species have any ability to stray and I consider that it is quite possible it was a very odd-sounding Northern. I heard what sounded like Swamp Cicada at Rondeau P.P. in August of 2017. Also, I have heard Northern Dusk-singing Cicada at Point Pelee, probably 5-6 years ago. Point Pelee is a wonderful place to hear cicadas in the late summer on hot days, especially at dusk. I'm not sure what the predominant species there is, possibly Linne's, but Northern Dog-Day is there, quite possibly Lyric and the aforementioned Northern Dusk-singing.

Posted by billlamond over 2 years ago

I found your journals based on a comment you made on journal functionality in the forum. I have been looking for ways to structure identification guides. I like your integration of google slides.

Posted by whitneybrook over 1 year ago

This article provides detailed information on the different types of cicadas found in the province, as well as their unique characteristics and behaviors. Also it gives a good background on the annual and periodical emergence cycles of cicadas, and their sounds. The writing is clear and easy to understand, and the information presented is well-researched and accurate. Overall, it is an excellent article that is both informative and enjoyable to read!

Posted by manumanuswi over 1 year ago

Hey thanks for the feedback! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Posted by upupa-epops over 1 year ago

Thank you for this resource!

Posted by hannahstockford 7 months ago

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