Introduction
Cicadas are winged, oval-shaped insects known for the buzzing sounds they make, but there is so much more to them. With more than 3,000 different species of cicadas in existence, they range in color from brown to green to black. The average size of a cicada is around 2.2 to 5.5 cm long.
Some species appear every year during the summer season, while some come out only after several years and are known as periodical cicadas. They have a long lifespan which ranges between 4 to 17 years, depending upon their species and lifecycle.
#1. Violins with Wings
Cicadas are known for their singing, and their violin-shaped body structure aids them in producing sound. Male cicadas sing by flexing their tymbals — drum-like body organs located in their abdomen. The muscles in their abdomen pull the tymbals in and out to produce sound. Air-filled spaces inside the abdomen act as resonating chambers, amplifying the sound they produce.
The sounds cicadas produce are actually their mating calls. Each species has its distinct song, and the range can vary. Some produce a soft clicking sound, while others generate loud whirring or buzzing sounds. Female cicadas are generally silent, but some can make sounds in response to mating calls by flicking their wings.
#2. Evaporative Coolers
Cicadas have the unique ability to turn themselves into evaporative coolers during extremely hot weather. Like humans, cicadas can sweat, and they use this ability to survive extreme temperatures. Their food source is largely made up of plant sap and liquids. As the temperature goes up and their body starts heating, they start sweating by removing water from their blood and passing it through body ducts. Pores in their thorax help in the evaporation of water, providing a cooling effect.
#3. Sneaky Bugs
If you have ever tried to locate a cicada, you already know it's not easy. They are extremely difficult to capture because of the loud sound they produce — which paradoxically makes them hard to pinpoint. This trick aids them in distracting predators. Even if you walk by a tree with a cicada on it, they will hide on the back side and stop producing sound so you won't find them easily.
#4. Warm Up
Cicadas are cold-blooded in nature, but they need to warm up to fly and sing. They make use of their dark-colored skin which absorbs outside heat to warm up, enabling them to fly and sing.
#5. Beautiful Wings
Cicadas have beautiful transparent wings which, if held against a light source, will transmit rainbow hues. The veins on the wings are symmetrical and together make a 'W' shape.
#6. Loudest Cicada on Record
The sound some cicada species produce is so loud it can be heard from a mile away. The sound of the loudest cicadas like Brevisana brevis and Megatibicen pronotalis walkeri can be recorded up to 106.7 decibels at a distance of 50 cm. The Australian Double Drummer Cicada is known for producing deafening 120-decibel sounds.
#7. Cicadas Help the Trees
The cicada females lay their eggs in clusters that will strip trees of excess branches. This is the same effect as pruning, which leads to healthier trees.
#8. They Taste Pretty Good
Although eating insects hasn't exactly caught on in most of the United States, people who have tried cicada delicacies have enjoyed them quite a bit. They're related to shrimp and lobsters, and some people — especially those in the Southwest — have been known to sauté them, dip them in chocolate, or even bake them into desserts.