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''Neotibicen dorsatus'', colloquially called the bush cicada or grand western cicada is a species of large bodied annual cicada in the genus ''Neotibicen''. Unique among other species of ''Neotibicen'', this species is almost exclusively associated with Eastern tallgrass prairies and the Great plains region of central North America. Prior to the European penetration and settlement of the interior of North America, this cicada was among the most widespread and abundant species in the great plains region; inhabiting a sprawling geographic range. Unfortunately, the extensive destruction of the North American tallgrass prairie for the purposes of agriculture, livestock grazing, and urbanization have precipitated the widespread decline of this species and fragmentation of its distribution. In certain areas of dense urban development or agricultural activity in its former range, populations have been decimated and the cicada effectively extirpated. In modern times, it exists in isolated prairie remnants scattered across the great plains. Although generally listed as a least concern species by conservation groups, remaining relict populations should be monitored and conserved. This species used to be called ''Tibicen dorsatus'', but in July 2015, after genetic and physiological evaluation and reconfiguration of the genus ''Tibicen'', this cicada and others in the genus ''Tibicen'' were moved to newly created genera.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Description of a new genus, Auritibicen gen. nov., of Cryptotympanini Hemiptera: Cicadidae) with redescriptions of Auritibicen pekinensis (Haupt, 1924) comb. nov. and Auritibicen slocumi (Chen, 1943) comb. nov. from China and a key to the species of Auritibicen | LEE | Zootaxa )〕 Furthermore, the genus ''Tibicen'' still exists, but today it only encompasses a small number of European taxa. In 2008, ''N. dorsatus'' was splintered into 2 distinct species after morphological and behavioral evaluation: ''Neotibicen tremulus'' and ''Neotibcen dorsatus''. ==Description and identification== ''N. dorsatus'' is very distinct and beautifully colored and patterned species. Likewise, among other ''Neotibicen'', this species has a head narrower than the rest of the body, a feature unique to this species. Another diagnostic trait is white pruinose spots lined vertically on the cicada's abdomen. ''N. dorsatus'' adults have variable eye colors, but generally the eyes are leafy green, slate colored, blue-green, gray, olive oil colored, or sandy brown. The face of this species, like many other cicadas in the genus; has a distinctive black "mask" that extends from each of the cicada's bulging eyes. This species' pronotum is always a deep, rich caramel color. A large, black hour-glass shaped pronotal blotch extends vertically, but narrowly in the middle of the insect's pronotum. Mesonotal patterning is similar to that of other members in this genus; with two pipe shaped marks resembling the Hebrew letter resh in the center. These are surrounded by other, smaller red, white, and tan colored markings and decorations, with varying degrees of color intensity in different individuals. Wings in ''N. dorsatus'' are always tinted "reddish" or amber colored. Wing veins are brown, and a smoky, pigmented black or amber "Z" shaped marking found in most members of this genus, is clearly present near the wing tips of ''N. dorsatus''. Unlike other members in the genus however, the wing shape of this species is distinct, rounder and more circular than the wings of other species, which usually have narrower and pointed wing tips. Venter of this cicada is lightly pruinosed. Opercula of the males are usually ochreous yellow with light powdering of pruinose. The legs are usually black, but tibia and terminal ends as well as joints may be yellow in some individuals. Lastly, this species does not exhibit great amounts of regional variability compared with other members of this genus. Certain morphological characteritcis do vary slightly between individuals, but across the range of ''N. dorsatus'', there is considrable consistency in morphological characteristics. And, although uncommonly confused with other cicada species except the nearly identical and closely related ''N. tremulus'', this spcies may be confused for a supercifally similar, but distantly related ''Neotibicen'' species: ''N. dealbatus''. Certain overlapping diagnostic traits are found in both cicadas; such as the pruinose patterning on the abdomen and narrow head. This can complicate accurate identification or lead to erroneous reports, but the call of males and other morphological differences, coupled with geographic locations of both species are other factors that can aid in correct identification and separation of the two. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Neotibicen dorsatus」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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