Annual vs Periodical Cicada 8"x10"

In 2023, the Lake County Forest Preserves in Illinois commissioned me to do a series of illustrations in anticipation of the huge Brood 13 Periodical Cicada emergence here in Illinois in 2024. This was one of them!
This drawing depicts top-down views of a Neotibicen sp. annual cicada on the left, and 17-year periodical cicada Magicicada septendecula  (though from the top, this also looks a lot like M. septendecim) on the right. These will emerge at different times of the year, so it's very unlikely you'd actually see them living side by side (although there are always the stragglers!). Periodical cicadas tytically emerge in late Spring- May or early June, whilst the annual cicadas emerge in late summer (hence the common name "Dog Day Cicada"). They're larger and more green than the periodical cicadas. We're lucky to get to hear these every single year and they're the ones we typically think of when we reminisce about their summer song. 

(Specimens were collected deceased, no cicadas were harmed to create this drawing. Annual cicadas are pretty easy to find in September when they begin perishing, and the periodical ones... well, you'll see. The ground will be covered in them.)

This is an extra special year for the cicadas in Illinois, because not only is it the year of the 17-year cicadas (Brood XIII / 13), but it's also the year of the 13 year cicadas (Brood XIX / 19)!  This is an incredibly rare event that only happens once every 221 years. The last time it happened was in 1803!  The only place where the brood will overlap is central/eastern Illinois. I'll definitely be making a trip to witness the phenomenon! ❤️
 
Print created from my original pastel colored pencil drawing and printed on fine art paper. The standard 8"x10" size is easily matted into an 11"x14" mat and frame. A great size for any room! (Frame is not included, just for demonstration purposes.) The print will come to you in a protective plastic sleeve with a hard backing. It has been signed by me.