Cicadas

Cicadas are fascinating insects known for their distinct buzzing and clicking sounds, which fill the air during the warmer months in many parts of the world. Belonging to the order Hemiptera, cicadas are part of the superfamily Cicadoidea.

There are over 190 varieties (including species & subspecies) of cicadas in North America, and over 3,390 varieties of cicadas around the world. This number grows each year as researchers discover and document new species. Cicadas exist on every continent but Antarctica.

They are classified into two main families: Cicadidae (true cicadas) and Tettigarctidae (hairy cicadas or ancient cicadas). True cicadas are further divided into several subfamilies, with the most well-known being Cicadinae. These insects have a rich evolutionary history dating back millions of years,

with some fossils dating as far back as the Triassic period, around 250 million years ago. Their ancient lineage is evident in their relatively unchanged appearance, characterized by large eyes, transparent wings, and robust bodies.

The most renowned cicadas in North America are the Magicicada periodical cicadas, often referred to as “locusts,” despite being unrelated to true locusts. These remarkable insects are known for their incredibly long life cycles of either 17 or 13 years, depending on the species.

However, there have been documented cases of Magicicada emergences after even longer intervals, such as 22 years (broods). These periodic emergences, characterized by millions of cicadas emerging simultaneously, are a fascinating phenomenon in ecology and entomology. During these mass emergences, male cicadas produce loud, distinctive calls to attract mates,

leading to a cacophony of buzzing and clicking sounds that can be heard across vast areas. Understanding the biology and behavior of Magicicada cicadas during their rare and synchronized appearances provides valuable insights into their evolutionary adaptations and ecological significance.

With Brood XIII and Brood XIX both set to pop out of the ground simultaneously, the U.S. will be in a unique position to witness the once-in-a-lifetime emergence in 2024. The rare occurrence, which could bring billions of cicadas to the surface, last happened 221 years ago. Cicadas are known for their vibrant colors, ranging from greens and browns to striking hues of red and black. One of the most distinctive features of cicadas is their song, produced by specialized structures called tymbals located on the abdomen of males.

By rapidly vibrating these membranes, males create loud, rhythmic sounds to attract females and establish territory. Different species produce unique calls, which can vary in pitch, duration, and pattern. The world’s loudest cicada is the Brevisana brevis, a cicada found in Africa that reaches 106.7 decibels when recorded at a distance of ~20″. Cicadas are ectothermic insects, meaning they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature.

They are most active during warm weather, when temperatures are conducive to their activity. However, they are capable of adjusting their behavior to avoid overheating or freezing by seeking shade or burrowing into the soil. The life cycle of cicadas is characterized by distinct stages, including egg, nymph, and adult. Adult females deposit eggs in the bark of trees or in the soil, depending on the species. Once hatched, the nymphs burrow underground, where they feed on the sap of plant roots for several years, depending on the species. After completing their development, nymphs emerge from the ground as adults,

shedding their exoskeletons in a process called molting. Cicadas primarily feed on plant fluids, using their specialized mouthparts to pierce and suck sap from trees and other vegetation. While they can cause damage to plants in large numbers, they generally do not pose a significant threat to their host plants’ health. Cicadas face predation from a variety of animals, including birds, mammals, and other insects.