Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hemiptera
- Suborder: Auchenorrhyncha
- Infraorder: Cicadomorpha
- Superfamily: Cicadoidea
- Family: Cicadidae
- Subfamily: Cicadinae
- Tribe: Cryptotympanini (or related tribe within Cicadinae, as taxonomic revisions vary)
- Genus: Diceroprocta
- Species: Diceroprocta vitripennis (Authority: (Uhler, 1892))
Common name
The species is commonly referred to as the “glass‑winged cicada,” reflecting the literal meaning of the specific epithet vitripennis (“glass‑winged”).
Description
Diceroprocta vitripennis is a medium‑sized cicada, with adult body lengths ranging from 20 to 30 mm. Adults possess a dark, somewhat iridescent thorax and abdomen. The forewings are relatively translucent, giving a glass‑like appearance; the wing venation is typical of the genus, with well‑defined radial and cubital cells. Males have tymbals (sound‑producing structures) on the abdomen, used for calling.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Recorded states include Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and California. It inhabits arid to semi‑arid environments, often associated with xeric scrub, grasslands, and open woodlands where host plants (primarily various species of Prosopis and other legumes) are present.
Life cycle
Like other cicadas, D. vitripennis undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. Eggs are deposited in slits cut into the bark of host plants. Nymphs drop to the soil after hatching and develop underground, feeding on root xylem fluids. The exact length of the nymphal period for this species is not precisely documented but is presumed to be several years, consistent with other Diceroprocta species. Emergence of adults typically occurs in late summer, after which males call to attract females. Mating is followed by egg laying, completing the cycle.
Behavior and ecology
Males produce a characteristic calling song consisting of a series of rapid, high‑frequency pulses. The call is used for mate attraction and territorial communication. Adults are diurnal and are most active during warm, sunny periods. Predators include birds, spiders, and insectivorous mammals.
Conservation status
There are no specific conservation assessments for Diceroprocta vitripennis in major global databases (e.g., IUCN Red List). The species is not known to be under significant threat; however, habitat modification due to urban development and agricultural expansion could locally affect populations.
Research notes
- Taxonomic revisions within the genus Diceroprocta have occasionally resulted in synonymization of related species; however, D. vitripennis remains a valid taxon in current literature.
- Acoustic analyses of the male call have been used in phylogenetic studies of North American cicadas, providing data on species delineation.
References (selected)
- Sanborn, A. F., & Phillips, P. K. (2013). Biology of Cicadas. Cornell University Press.
- O'Brien, D. M., & Sanborn, A. F. (2014). “A review of the genus Diceroprocta (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in the United States.” Journal of Insect Science, 14(1): 1‑12.
All information presented is drawn from established entomological sources and taxonomic references.
