Cicada | Description, Life Cycle, Sound, Map, & Facts | Britannica

Home » Are Cicadas Insects » Cicada | Description, Life Cycle, Sound, Map, & Facts | Britannica

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Physical description and song

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Cicadas are medium to large insects, ranging in size from 2 to 5 cm (0.8 to 2 inches). They characteristically have short antennae, two pairs of transparent membranous wings, prominent compound eyes, and three simple eyes (ocelli) that form a triangle between the compound eyes. Equipped only with sap sucking mouthparts, cicadas lack mandibles and thus do not bite. The insects also do not have the modified ovipositor (egg-laying organ) required for stinging. Indeed, stinging in insects is a phenomenon largely limited to certain ants, bees, and wasps, to which cicadas are unrelated. Major cicada species are generally easily recognized by differences in songs, behavior, and morphology.

The shrill thorntree cicada (Brevisana brevis), found in Africa, is thought to be the loudest insect in the world. Exceeding 106 decibels, the males’ songs are nearly as loud as a chainsaw (110 decibels).

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Male cicadas produce loud noises by vibrating membranes (tymbals) near the base of the abdomen. Males of each species typically have three distinct sound responses: a congregational song that is regulated by daily weather fluctuations and by songs produced by other males; a courtship song, usually produced prior to copulation; and a disturbance squawk, produced by individuals captured, held, or disturbed into flight. Most North American cicadas produce rhythmical ticks, buzzes, whines, or screams, although in some species the song is musical. Females lack tymbals, though some species use their wings to produce clicking or snapping sounds, often in response to the songs of the males.

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(Read Britannica’s “Why Are Cicadas So Noisy?”)

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