The adult M. cassinii is very similar in appearance to other periodical cicadas. It is between 24 and 27 mm (0.94 and 1.06 in) long, measured from the front of the head to the tip of the wings folded over the abdomen. The head is black, the eyes are large and red, the pronotum is black apart from a narrow orange band at the edge of the sternites, and the abdomen is black. The legs are orange and the wings are translucent, with orange veins and dusky markings near the tips.

The pharaoh cicada emerges from underground in the masses every 17 years east of the Great Plains in the United States. This waiting period is crucial for development as these insects feed on plant roots. Interestingly, they continue to stay in large groups in order to overwhelm predators with their calls, which have been said to sound like they're saying "Pharaoh".

The floury baker (Aleeta curvicosta) is commonly associated with pranks, as kids can attach them to their clothing and bring them into the classroom to annoy teachers. Otherwise, its common name comes from an appearance that makes you believe that it is dusted with flour. It is one of Australia's loudest cicadas.

The average body length of the male white drummer is approximately 3.5 cm and the female approximately 3.5 cm. The head is green with prominent dark red-brown markings and green midline along pronotum. The eyes are a dark red-brown. The thorax and abdomen are predominantly dark red-brown. Depressions on the body are covered with yellow velvety fur. The prominent sac-like tymbal covers are white.The wings are clear with reddish brown and yellowish veins, and measure up to 5 cm long in males and 5 cm long in females. The white drummer has yellow-green legs marked with dark brown and black.