The sound of the cicada

Although cicadas can be heard, they are rarely seen! Their large eyes enable them to spot predators quickly. When they perceive danger, cicadas stop “singing” and stand still. Many species are very well camouflaged, blending in perfectly with the bark of the trees on which they are found. It’s particularly audible during heatwaves. Most cicada species prefer to “sing” in warm weather. In reality, cicadas don’t sing. The structures that produce cicadas’ sounds are located at the base of the abdomen, behind its third pair of legs. It’s a cavity closed by a membrane called the timpani. I’m sure you’re familiar with the name. Yes, this structure is named after a musical instrument that looks a lot like a drum! A sound is produced by the cicada when a muscle contracts and causes the membrane to vibrate. Only males have the ability to make sounds, and they do so to seduce females. The sound produced resembles a crackling noise. In Quebec, the canicular cicada (Tibicen canicularis) can be heard over a kilometer away. The intensity of the sound produced can reach almost 100 decibels, comparable to the noise made by a lawnmower. Not bad for an insect no more than 5 cm long!
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