Sounds of the Cicadas

Just the other day, I was teaching the Grand Babies the cycle of cicadas...... Because we found the shells they left behind, under o Our favorite willow tree~  I explained to them, this was a rare find. Because cicadas only emerge every 17 years........ What are Cicadas?

The Basics

An illustration of cicada tymbals from C.L. Marlatt's The Periodical Cicada. c shows the muscles and tendons connected to the tymbals, and d & e show the bending of the tymbal.

Cicadas are insects, best known for the songs sung by most, but not all, male cicadas. They make this sound by flexing their tymbals, which are drum-like organs found in their abdomens. Small muscles rapidly pull the tymbals in and out of shape — like a child's click-toy. The sound is intensified by the cicada's mostly hollow abdomen. Female and some male cicadas will also make a sound by flicking their wings, but it isn't the same as the song cicadas are known for. Listen to some of the songs cicadas sing.