Song of the Cicada
Insect Buzzing in the Dog Days of Summer
Aug 15, 2009 Bridgett Ann Calia
With their carcasses strewn about like peanut shells on a tavern floor, the cicadas make their presence heard well before they are seen. Living two to seventeen years, these harmless warm climate crooners inhabit trees and twigs around the world sucking sap to sustain their unusually long nymph stage.
Cicada Anatomy
Cicadas are generally one to two inches in length with the exception of some of the tropical species, which can grow up to six inches long. Cicadas have five eyes all matching in color. Two large eyes adorn either side of their head with three smaller eyes located on the crown. Their wings are large and translucent with many veins.
The insect’s loud song is produced by males seeking mates, in response to weather changes, or in defense when captured as prey. This noise is produced by vibrating membranes located in the abdomen called timbals. Their music may take the form of a whine, buzz, or rhythmical ticking sound.
The dog-day cicada, which many people are most familiar with, debut in midsummer annually or bi-annually pitching their din in tree populated areas such as forests and grasslands. They are easily identified by their green coloring.
The more interesting species of cicada are the 17 year cicada, also known as the periodical cicada. As their name indicates, these insects appear in broods during a specific cycle invading a specific geographic locale. They can also be distinguished from the annual cicada by their bright red eyes and reddish coloring.
Metamorphosis
While the exact number of species in the family of Cicadidae is unknown, Encyclopedia Britanica cites over 1,500 species identified. Different species may make up a single brood and yet their various mating songs can be discerned.
After serenading and mating takes place, the female lays her eggs on tree bark, twigs or even grasses. The eggs hatch and the new nymphs burrow underground. Nymphs extract nutrients from the roots of plants to sustain themselves until they are ready to emerge and molt. A cicada molts by securing itself to a nearby tree trunk and breaking out of its shell by splitting the back. Much like a snake leaves his shedding behind, the tan crusty shells can be observed after molting clinging to trees, bushes, or strewn across the sidewalk and grass.
Birds and cicada killer wasps are the main predators of cicadas. Cicada Wasps are particularly intimating looking: growing several inches long and skimming and patrolling grassy areas and lawns looking for victims. While typically not aggressive towards humans, cicada killers will paralyze their prey with a sting and drag their victims to their nests to sustain their young.
With their unmistakable buzzing signaling the dog days of summer, the cicada goes about their business of calling and mating and transforming into large winged bugged eyed creatures signaling the passage of summer.
Cicadas are Large Buzzing Flying Insects
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