Plains Cicada

M. dealbatus adults have beige-colored eyes. and like many other cicadas in the genus. have a distinctive black "mask" that extends from each of the cicada's bulging eyes. This species' pronotum is light orange or olive green. The coloring of its mesonotum is orange, green, black, or brown with three white pruinosity areas on the dorsum separated by stripes. This species may be confused for a superficially similar, but distantly related Megatibicen species: Megatibicen dorsatus. 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.

Populations of M. dealbatus are located in central North America in the U.S. Great Plains region where habitat is favorable. This species is found east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Mississippi River. It has been reported from Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.

Adults of M. dealbatus feed on numerous vascular plants by using their piercing, sucking mouthparts to reach the xylem of the plant and consume the fluids. As nymphs, they feed on the roots of plants.