Cicadas are interesting insects known for their loud songs. Males create these songs by vibrating tiny drums called tymbals on their abdomens.

There are over 3,000 species of cicadas worldwide. They have different life cycles. Some emerge every year, while others come out every 13 or 17 years.

In this article, we will look at why cicadas sing, their unique behaviors, and their significance in cultures around the world. Learn how these buzzing insects have fascinated humans for centuries.

Cicada Biology: Core Mechanisms of Their Song

Cicadas make their song by vibrating membranes called tymbals on their abdomens. These tymbals move in and out quickly to create clicking sounds, known as cicada songs.

Cicadas like those from Magicicada in North America have very loud songs, up to 100 decibels. Male cicadas use their wings to make the sound even louder.

The songs of cicadas vary in frequency and length among species. Annual cicadas sing every year. Periodical cicadas, like the 13-year and 17-year broods, emerge in cycles.

Insects of the superfamily Cicadoidea, including the Cicadidae and Tettigarctidae families, have different song patterns but use the same tymbal mechanism.

In places like Illinois, Raccoon Grove, and parts of New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, both periodical and annual species appear. Scientists like Cooley, Dybas, Simon, and Stannard have documented their presence.

The life cycle and songs of cicadas fascinate people worldwide, inspiring art and folklore.

Learn About Cicada Species and Their Diversity

Cicadas belong to the superfamily Cicadoidea and are found worldwide. This includes North America, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.

There are over 3,000 species. These fall into families like Cicadidae and Tettigarctidae.

Cicadas make a loud song. It can reach up to 100 decibels. This song comes from tymbals located on the male’s abdomen.

In North America, periodical cicadas like Magicicada emerge every 13 or 17 years. Researchers like Cooley and Dybas name these broods.

Periodical cicadas lay eggs in twigs and branches. Nymphs emerge after the eggs hatch.

Cicada songs are very loud. They can be heard over long distances. Their life cycle has inspired art and folklore, especially in Illinois’ Raccoon Grove area.

Fossils of cicadas help map their ancient distribution and evolution. Studying their diversity helps understand their life cycles and ecological impact.

Periodical cicadas have a synchronized emergence to avoid predators. This is known as co-emergence.

Annual cicadas come out yearly. They fill different ecological roles around the world.

Cicadas: Taxonomy and Classification

Cicadas are insects in the superfamily Cicadoidea, part of the order Hemiptera. They are divided into families like Cicadidae and Tettigarctidae. Genera such as Magicicada are well-studied.

There are annual and periodical cicadas, including 13-year and 17-year broods in North America. These species are known for their loud songs, which can reach up to 120 decibels. Males produce these sounds using a structure called a tymbal on their abdomens.

Recent genetic studies by researchers like Cooley, Dybas, and Simon have helped classify cicadas more accurately and map their family tree. Morphologically, cicadas can be identified by their wings, shape, size, and tymbals.

Periodical cicadas from broods emerge together to avoid predators. Their life cycle includes nymph stages that live underground and only surface to become adults. Fossils and extensive studies in places like Illinois and Raccoon Grove provide insights into their life and co-emergence patterns.

Cicadas have inspired art and culture worldwide, including in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Their fascinating lifecycle and behaviors make them a unique group of insects globally.

Etymology and Meaning Behind the Name ‘Cicada’

The name ‘cicada’ comes from the Latin word “cicada,” which means “tree cricket.” Ancient Romans first used this term. It has remained largely unchanged over centuries.

The name was influenced by the insects’ loud songs. Male cicadas produce these songs using their tymbals, which are structures on their abdomens.

In ancient Greece, cicadas were symbols of rebirth and immortality. This is because nymphs spend years underground before emerging as adults.

In Chinese and Japanese art, cicadas often represent summer and the short nature of life. Indigenous cultures in North America have also shown interest in cicadas, especially the 13-year and 17-year broods. These broods are known for their sudden mass appearances.

Artistic depictions in Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, along with fossil records, highlight the cicada’s importance in various cultures. The name and symbolism of cicadas underscore their unique life and presence worldwide.

Discover Cicada Life Cycle: From Egg to Adult

A cicada’s life starts when eggs are laid in twigs and branches.

The eggs hatch into nymphs.

The nymphs drop to the ground and burrow to feed on tree fluids.

This stage underground can last from a few years to up to 13 or 17 years.

When ready, the nymphs climb tree trunks, shed their skins, and become adults.

They grow wings and their abdomens change for mating.

Male cicadas sing with their tymbals, producing sounds up to 100 decibels to attract females.

In America, different groups of cicadas emerge in large numbers to overwhelm predators. This is called predator satiation.

Families like Cicadidae and Tettigarctidae have various life strategies.

They are found in places like Australia, North America, and South Africa.

Fossils have been found as far as New Zealand.

Their songs have inspired art and culture for many years.

People like Cooley, Dybas, Simon, and Stannard have studied them.

Sites like Illinois’ Raccoon Grove are important for cicada counts.

Periodical Cicadas: Unique Patterns and Occurrences

What factors make periodical cicadas come out after being underground for so long?

Temperature is a big factor. Periodical cicadas, which belong to the Magicicada genus, come out when the soil reaches about 64°F. After spending 13 or 17 years underground, they emerge in large numbers to overwhelm predators.

How do their patterns of appearance help them survive and reproduce?

Periodical cicadas co-emerge in large broods. This makes it hard for predators like birds and raccoons to eat them all. This is called predator satiation.

Where are periodical cicadas found, and how do their occurrences differ across regions?

Periodical cicadas are mainly found in the eastern United States. They also appear in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Notable broods emerge in places like Illinois and other parts of North America.

These broods come out in different years to avoid overlapping. This helps them survive better.

Cicadas have influenced art and cultures around the world, especially in America and Illinois. Males produce loud songs, up to 100 decibels, using special organs called tymbals on their abdomens.

Exploration of Cicada Palaeontology and History

Ancient cicadas date back millions of years. Fossils from the superfamily Cicadoidea, including Cicadidae and Tettigarctidae, have been found in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. These discoveries show that cicadas have evolved over time.

Paleontologists like Cooley and Dybas have studied periodical cicadas, such as the 13-year and 17-year Magicicada in Illinois. They have looked into their unique life cycles and brood patterns.

Cicadas are often mentioned in ancient texts and art from South Africa and early civilizations. They have cultural significance and are known for their songs. Male cicadas produce these songs using tymbals on their abdomens. Literature and mythology often feature cicada songs.

Historical records suggest that periodical cicadas were symbols of rebirth and transformation. In North America, researchers like Simon and Stannard have mapped out the emergence and overlap of periodical cicada broods. This helps to understand their life cycle.

Cicadas, including Tibicininae and Magicicada, continue to fascinate and be studied around the world.

Understanding Cicada Song: Purpose and Mechanics

The main purpose of a cicada’s song is to attract mates. Male cicadas produce loud sounds using structures called tymbals on their abdomens. Tymbals are drum-like membranes that can vibrate rapidly. This creates clicks and buzzes that can reach up to 120 decibels.

The sound serves as a mating call to female cicadas. In periodical cicadas, like the 13-year and 17-year broods in North America, synchronized mass emergence helps their songs overlap. This increases the chances of finding a mate.

Families such as Cicadidae and Tettigarctidae make these songs. The songs are slightly different across the superfamily Cicadoidea. This behavior is seen worldwide. You can find it in America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

Periodical cicadas, like Magicicada, have been well-studied. Notable researchers include Cooley, Dybas, Simon, and Stannard. Cicadas spend a long period underground as nymphs before surfacing to sing, mate, and lay eggs on tree branches.

How Cicadas Regulate Their Temperature

Cicadas have different methods to control their body temperature. One way is by vibrating their tymbals, the drum-like parts on their abdomens. This helps them cool down.

Environmental factors like sunlight and shaded areas are very important too. For example, they might move to shaded spots when it gets too hot. Cicadas in the superfamily Cicadoidea, including the 13-year and 17-year periodical cicadas like Magicicada, show special behaviors to manage their temperature.

In Illinois, researchers like Cooley and Dybas have studied their behavior closely. Cicadas can emerge at different times based on temperature. Broods, like those in Raccoon Grove, may come out during cooler parts of the day.

Males, known for their loud song that can reach over 100 decibels, often stay still on tree branches to avoid overheating. In places like Australia and America, cicadas have adapted their life cycles and emergence times to fit the local climate.

Cicada Diet: What Do They Eat?

Cicadas belong to the superfamily Cicadoidea. They primarily eat plant fluids from tree roots, twigs, and branches. They use piercing-sucking mouthparts to get sap from these plant parts.

Cicada nymphs spend most of their lives underground. They feed on fluids from tree roots. When they emerge, adult cicadas continue to feed on plant sap.

Both annual cicadas and periodical cicadas have similar diets. Periodical species, like the Magicicada in North America, have 13-year and 17-year life cycles. When they emerge, they form large broods with overlapping generations. These cicadas sing loudly to attract mates. Males produce songs using tymbals on their abdomens, reaching up to 100 decibels.

Their behavior has inspired art and mythology in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Fossil records, such as those in Illinois, show their ancient roots. They belong to the Cicadidae and Tettigarctidae families.

Methods of Cicada Locomotion

Cicadas move using their wings and legs. Their wings are strong and help them fly long distances, sometimes several miles. Male cicadas use their wings to create vibrations for their loud songs. These songs can attract mates from far away.

Their legs, especially the front ones, help them grip trees and plants as they climb. Different species of cicadas have their own ways of moving. For example:

• Periodical cicadas, like Magicicada in North America, spend most of their lives underground as nymphs. When they emerge, they climb up tree trunks and then fly.
• Annual cicadas, found in New Zealand and Australia, have shorter life cycles and rely more on flying.

Fossil records from places like Illinois and observations in regions like Raccoon Grove show that wings and legs are important for cicada movement. Different broods of cicadas around the world, such as in America, New Zealand, and South Africa, adapt their anatomy to their habitats.

The Battle: Cicadas vs. Predators

Cicadas have several ways to avoid predators.

Some types, like the periodical cicada, have long life cycles. They come out all at once every 13 or 17 years, which floods predators. This ensures many cicadas survive.

Cicadas have loud songs made by tymbals on their abdomens. These songs help them find mates and confuse predators. The noise can reach up to 100 decibels.

Cicadas belong to the Cicadidae superfamily and have strong wings for quick flights when attacked. Predators, like birds and raccoons, hunt them during these mass emergences. In places like Illinois and Raccoon Grove, the overlap of different broods provides plenty of food for predators.

The predator-prey relationship affects cicada numbers. Many adults get eaten, but enough survive to lay eggs and continue their cycle.

In America, scientists like Dybas and Simon study the periodical cicada, particularly the Magicicada genus. Fossils show that cicadas have been around for millions of years. They’ve been found in regions like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.

The emergence of periodical cicadas is a fascinating natural event. It captures attention and influences art.

Cicada Pathogens, Parasites, and Health Threats

Some primary pathogens and parasites affecting cicadas include fungi like Massospora. This fungus can infect and kill cicadas by taking over their bodies. It impacts their health and survival by disrupting their life cycles and ability to reproduce.

Parasitic fungi are a common threat to many cicada species, including periodical and annual cicadas. Cicadas have developed various defenses. One adaptation is the long life cycle of periodical cicadas, helping them avoid synchronized predator emergence. By emerging every 13 or 17 years, predators cannot rely on cicadas as a regular food source.

The impact of these pathogens and parasites goes beyond cicadas. Large broods provide significant food for predators like birds and raccoons, affecting the food web. The mass emergence of periodical cicadas can also affect human activities, such as gardening and tree health.

These insects’ loud songs influence culture too. Cicadas appear in art and mythology across the world, from North America to Australia and South Africa.

Resources to Learn More: Key Websites on Cicadas

For detailed information on cicadas’ biology and life cycle, explore academic databases and entomology websites.

These sources often include:

• Maps showing 13-year and 17-year cicada patterns.
• Data to identify different cicada species and their taxonomy.
• Information on families like Cicadidae and Tettigarctidae.
• High-quality images of wings and fossil records.

For those interested in cicadas’ evolutionary history, online platforms offer scholarly articles. These discuss the life cycles of species in regions like North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

They may also cover:

• The overlap of periodical broods.
• Co-emergence of species.
• Features like tymbals and their decibel levels.

Notable researchers include Cooley, Dybas, Simon, and Stannard.

FAQ

What is the purpose of cicadas singing?

The purpose of cicadas singing is to attract mates. Male cicadas produce loud buzzing sounds using their abdomens to attract female cicadas for mating.

How do cicadas create their unique sound?

Cicadas create their unique sound by vibrating their timbals, which are drum-like organs located on their abdomen. The vibrating timbals produce a loud buzzing noise as a result.

Why do cicadas sing so loudly?

Cicadas sing loudly to attract mates and defend their territory. The loud buzzing sound is produced by specialized organs called tymbals on their abdomen. It helps them communicate over long distances to find a suitable partner.

Do different species of cicadas sing different songs?

Yes, different species of cicadas do sing different songs. For example, the periodical cicadas have distinct mating calls that vary between the 13 and 17-year broods.

How long do cicadas typically live and sing for?

Cicadas typically live for 2 to 17 years underground before emerging to sing for about 4-6 weeks as adults.