Piecing together the periodical cicada puzzle

Periodical cicadas of the genus Magicicada are commonly found throughout the Eastern United States, and their loud mating calls can be heard every 13 or 17 years as various broods of nymphs emerge in massive numbers. These cicadas have a tremendous impact on their ecosystems, including serving as a critical food source for many species during years in which they emerge. Despite the important roles these insects play, researchers have struggled to make sense of the many unique characteristics of these peculiar insects, including their abnormally lengthy life cycles, population structure, and evolutionary history. Here we present the genome assembly and annotation of Magicicada septendecula, a Brood X species. In addition, we conducted several important analyses surrounding gene family expansion and demographic histories, shedding light onto mechanisms of speciation. We show here that whole genome analyses can provide unique and valuable insights into answering questions surrounding the evolutionary history and population growth of periodical cicadas.