Hyalessa maculaticollis

Characteristics

A cicada with a total length of about 6 cm. It is about the same size as the brown cicada.

The body is blue-green on a black background, and the width of the blue-green part varies depending on the individual, and some appear black. The base of the abdomen is whitish like a dusting of powder, and the legs are also a slightly lighter blue-green color. The translucent wings appear a little longer than those of the brown cicada.

The song of the Minmin cicada

As its Japanese name suggests, it chirps loudly, "meenminminmin." It stretches out the end of each phrase, "minminminmi."

Japan Meteorological Agency Biological Seasonal Observation

The Minmin cicada was used in the Japan Meteorological Agency's biological season observations until 2020.

In Tokyo, the earliest chirping day was July 10th, and the latest day was July 30th.

Japan Meteorological Agency | Information on seasonal observations

Ecology

In eastern Japan, they can be heard in urban areas and forests on flat land. They are relatively common in urban areas. In western Japan, they seem to be seen in small numbers on flat land.

They appear from around July and often land on trees such as cherry blossoms.

Habitat

Tama River midstream

I photographed an individual that was landed on a chestnut tree in the middle basin of the Tama River and singing loudly.

There were relatively many brown cicadas and Minminzemi in the surrounding area. Minminzemi are not heard much in the city a little away, so it seems that they have a favorite place.