dog-day cicada

noun

: any of several large American cicadas (genus Tibicen) having a prolonged trilling note that is heard especially in mid- to late summer

Note: The nymphs emerge usually after 2 to 5 years of development. Because populations of dog-day cicadas are not synchronized as in periodical cicadas, there are typically adults present every year.

called also annual cicada, harvest fly

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!