seventeen-year locust

seventeen-year locust

n. Any of three species of periodical cicadas that have 17-year life cycles, found chiefly in northern regions of the eastern United States.

seventeen-year locust

n (Animals) an E North American cicada, Magicicada septemdecim, appearing in great numbers at infrequent intervals because its nymphs take 13 or 17 years to mature. Also called: periodical cicada

seventeen′-year` lo′cust

n. a cicada, Magicicada septendecim, of the eastern U.S., having nymphs that live in the soil, usu. emerging in great numbers after 17 years in the North or 13 years in the South. Also called periodical cicada. [1810–20]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

seventeen-year locust - North American cicada; appears in great numbers at infrequent intervals because the nymphs take 13 to 17 years to matureMagicicada septendecim, periodical cicadacicada, cicala - stout-bodied insect with large membranous wings; male has drum-like organs for producing a high-pitched dronegenus Magicicada, Magicicada - seventeen-year locust