A "July fly" is a common regional name for a cicada, specifically the Dog-Day Cicada, an insect well-known for its distinct, loud buzzing sounds that permeate the air during the summer months.
Understanding the "July Fly"
The term "July fly" directly references the time of year when these insects are most active and noticeable. They typically begin emerging in July and remain present throughout the warmer parts of late summer, making their distinct calls a quintessential sound of the season.
Characteristics of Cicadas (July Flies):
Cicadas are fascinating insects with unique features that contribute to their summer presence:
- Appearance: They are relatively large, stout-bodied insects, often with colors ranging from green to brown or black. They possess prominent, widely-set eyes and two pairs of clear, membranous wings.
- Sound Production: Only male cicadas "sing" to attract mates. They produce their characteristic loud buzzing, whirring, or clicking sounds using specialized vibrating membranes called tymbals located on their abdomen. This sound can be surprisingly loud and is a defining characteristic of summer in many regions.
- Life Cycle: While some famous species are periodical (emerging every 13 or 17 years), the cicadas commonly referred to as "July flies" are annual cicadas. This means that some individuals emerge every summer, even though each individual cicada still has a multi-year life cycle spent primarily underground as a nymph, feeding on the sap from tree roots. When mature, nymphs tunnel to the surface, molt into winged adults, reproduce, and then die within a few weeks. You can learn more about the fascinating cicada life cycle.
- Diet: Adult cicadas feed on the xylem fluid (sap) from trees using their piercing-sucking mouthparts. They generally cause minimal damage to healthy, mature trees.
Other Common Names for July Flies
The "July fly" is known by various other colloquial names across different regions, often reflecting their behavior or appearance:
- Jar Fly: This name may refer to their robust size or the way their sound seems to fill the air.
- Harvest Fly: These insects are active during the late summer, coinciding with harvest season in many agricultural areas.
- Locust: Although commonly used, it's important to note that cicadas are not true locusts. Locusts are a type of grasshopper known for forming destructive swarms, whereas cicadas do not behave in this manner.
- Dog-Day Cicada: This widely recognized name directly links to the "Dog Days of Summer" (typically late July through August), which are historically the hottest and most humid periods of the year when these cicadas are most active. For more information on Dog-Day Cicadas, you can refer to entomological resources.
Common Name | Primary Association |
---|---|
July Fly | Emergence and activity in July |
Jar Fly | Colloquial, possibly related to size |
Harvest Fly | Active during harvest season |
Dog-Day Cicada | Activity during the "Dog Days of Summer" |
Ecological Significance
Beyond their summer serenade, July flies play a valuable role in their ecosystems. Their burrowing as nymphs helps to aerate the soil, and both nymphs and adults serve as a food source for a variety of wildlife, including birds, small mammals, and predatory insects. They are a natural and important part of the summer landscape.