Cicadas are insects belonging to the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha. They are characterized by their large size, clear wings, and piercing mouthparts. Cicadas are known for their distinctive, which can be very loud and persistent.
Cicadas vary in size, but most species are between 2 and 5 cm long. They have a broad, flattened body with a triangular head. Their wings are clear or slightly tinted, and they are held roof-like over the body. Cicadas have long, piercing mouthparts that they use to suck sap from plants.
Cicadas are found in all parts of the world, but they are most common in tropical and subtropical regions. They are typically found in trees and shrubs, where they feed on the sap of the leaves. Cicadas are important members of the ecosystem, as they help to pollinate plants and provide food for other animals.
What Does the Cicada Look Like?
Cicadas are large, noisy insects that are often seen in the summer months. They are known for their distinctive appearance, which includes a large head, clear wings, and a black or brown body.
- Large
- Noisy
- Clear wings
- Black or brown body
- Big eyes
- Long antennae
- Sharp mouthparts
Cicadas use their sharp mouthparts to pierce the bark of trees and suck sap. They are also known for their loud, buzzing songs, which they use to attract mates. Cicadas are found in all parts of the world, but they are most common in warm climates.
1. Size
Cicadas are large insects, with some species growing to be over 2 inches long. Their large size is due to several factors, including their need to store energy for their long underground lives and their need to produce loud sounds to attract mates.
The large size of cicadas also makes them easy to spot, which is important for predators and prey alike. Cicadas are eaten by a variety of animals, including birds, snakes, and lizards. Their large size makes them a more tempting target for predators, but it also makes them more difficult for predators to catch.
The large size of cicadas is an important part of their life cycle and ecology. It allows them to store energy, produce sound, and avoid predators.
2. Noisy
Cicadas are known for their distinctive, loud songs, which they use to attract mates. The noise produced by cicadas can be very loud, and it can be heard from a long distance away. Cicadas produce sound by vibrating their tymbals, which are located on their abdomen. The tymbals are made of a thin, flexible membrane that is attached to a frame. When the cicada vibrates its tymbals, the membrane produces sound.
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Volume
The volume of a cicada’s song can vary depending on the species of cicada. Some cicadas can produce songs that are as loud as 100 decibels. This is about the same volume as a jackhammer.
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Pitch
The pitch of a cicada’s song can also vary depending on the species of cicada. Some cicadas produce songs that are very high-pitched, while others produce songs that are very low-pitched.
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Duration
Cicadas can produce their songs for long periods of time. Some cicadas can sing for up to several hours at a time.
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Purpose
Cicadas use their songs to attract mates. The songs are a way for cicadas to show off their strength and fitness to potential mates.
The noisy songs of cicadas are an important part of their life cycle. The songs help cicadas to find mates and reproduce.
3. Clear Wings
Cicadas have clear wings that are held roof-like over their bodies. The wings are made of a thin, transparent membrane that allows light to pass through. The clear wings of cicadas are an important part of their camouflage. They help cicadas to blend in with their surroundings and avoid predators.
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Protection
The clear wings of cicadas help to protect them from predators. Cicadas are eaten by a variety of animals, including birds, snakes, and lizards. The clear wings of cicadas make them difficult to see against the sky, which helps them to avoid being eaten.
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Thermoregulation
The clear wings of cicadas also help to regulate their body temperature. Cicadas are cold-blooded animals, which means that their body temperature is regulated by their surroundings. The clear wings of cicadas allow sunlight to pass through, which helps to warm their bodies.
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Communication
The clear wings of cicadas also play a role in communication. Cicadas use their wings to produce sound. The sound of cicadas is used to attract mates and to defend their territory.
The clear wings of cicadas are an important part of their biology. They help cicadas to survive and to reproduce.
4. Black or Brown Body
The black or brown body of the cicada is one of its most distinctive features. Cicadas have a hard exoskeleton that is made up of a protein called chitin. The color of the exoskeleton is determined by the pigments that are present in the chitin. Cicadas that have a black or brown body have high levels of melanin, which is a dark pigment.
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Camouflage
The black or brown body of the cicada helps it to camouflage with its surroundings. Cicadas are often found on the trunks of trees, and their dark coloration helps them to blend in with the bark. This camouflage helps to protect cicadas from predators.
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Thermoregulation
The black or brown body of the cicada also helps to regulate its body temperature. Cicadas are cold-blooded animals, which means that their body temperature is regulated by their surroundings. The dark coloration of the cicada’s body helps to absorb sunlight, which helps to warm the cicada’s body.
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Communication
The black or brown body of the cicada also plays a role in communication. Cicadas use their bodies to produce sound. The sound of cicadas is used to attract mates and to defend their territory.
The black or brown body of the cicada is an important part of its biology. It helps cicadas to survive and to reproduce.
5. Big eyes
Cicadas have large, compound eyes that are located on either side of their head. Each eye is made up of thousands of individual lenses, which gives cicadas a wide field of vision. Cicadas use their big eyes to scan their surroundings for predators and mates.
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Detection of predators
Cicadas use their big eyes to detect predators. Cicadas are eaten by a variety of animals, including birds, snakes, and lizards. The big eyes of cicadas help them to spot predators from a distance, which gives them time to escape.
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Finding mates
Cicadas also use their big eyes to find mates. Cicadas produce a loud, buzzing song to attract mates. The big eyes of cicadas help them to spot potential mates from a distance.
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Navigation
Cicadas also use their big eyes to navigate their surroundings. Cicadas are often found in trees and shrubs. The big eyes of cicadas help them to see where they are going and to avoid obstacles.
The big eyes of cicadas are an important part of their survival. Cicadas use their big eyes to detect predators, find mates, and navigate their surroundings.
6. Long antennae
Cicadas have long antennae that are located on the front of their head. The antennae are made up of several segments, and they are covered in tiny hairs. Cicadas use their antennae to sense their surroundings and to communicate with other cicadas.
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Sensing the environment
Cicadas use their antennae to sense their surroundings. The antennae are covered in tiny hairs that are sensitive to touch, taste, and smell. Cicadas use their antennae to detect predators, find food, and navigate their environment.
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Communicating with other cicadas
Cicadas also use their antennae to communicate with other cicadas. Cicadas produce a loud, buzzing song to attract mates. The antennae of cicadas are sensitive to vibrations, and they can detect the songs of other cicadas. Cicadas use their antennae to locate potential mates and to establish territories.
The long antennae of cicadas are an important part of their survival. Cicadas use their antennae to sense their surroundings, to communicate with other cicadas, and to find food. The antennae of cicadas are a fascinating example of how animals have adapted to their environment.
7. Sharp mouthparts
Cicadas have sharp mouthparts that they use to pierce the bark of trees and suck sap. Their mouthparts are made up of a long, sharp beak that is covered in tiny teeth. The teeth help the cicada to grip the bark of the tree and to pierce it with its beak.
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Feeding
Cicadas use their sharp mouthparts to feed on the sap of trees. Sap is a sugary liquid that is found in the inner bark of trees. Cicadas insert their beak into the bark of the tree and then use their sharp mouthparts to suck the sap out.
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Defense
Cicadas also use their sharp mouthparts to defend themselves from predators. If a cicada is attacked by a predator, it will use its sharp mouthparts to bite the predator.
The sharp mouthparts of cicadas are an important part of their survival. Cicadas use their sharp mouthparts to feed on the sap of trees and to defend themselves from predators.
FAQs About What Cicadas Look Like
Cicadas are fascinating creatures with a unique appearance. Here are some frequently asked questions about what cicadas look like:
Question 1: How big are cicadas?
Cicadas can vary in size depending on the species, but most are between 2 and 5 cm long.
Question 2: What color are cicadas?
Cicadas are typically black or brown, but some species can be green or yellow.
Question 3: What do cicada wings look like?
Cicadas have clear wings that are held roof-like over their bodies.
Question 4: What do cicada eyes look like?
Cicadas have large, compound eyes that are located on either side of their head.
Question 5: What do cicada antennae look like?
Cicadas have long antennae that are located on the front of their head.
Question 6: What do cicada mouthparts look like?
Cicadas have sharp mouthparts that they use to pierce the bark of trees and suck sap.
Cicadas are a diverse group of insects with a wide range of appearances. By learning more about what cicadas look like, we can better appreciate their beauty and diversity.
Transition to the next article section:
For more information on cicadas, please see the next section.
Tips on Identifying Cicadas
Cicadas are fascinating creatures, but they can be difficult to identify due to their wide range of appearances. Here are a few tips on how to identify cicadas:
Tip 1: Size
Cicadas can vary in size depending on the species, but most are between 2 and 5 cm long.
Tip 2: Color
Cicadas are typically black or brown, but some species can be green or yellow.
Tip 3: Wings
Cicadas have clear wings that are held roof-like over their bodies.
Tip 4: Eyes
Cicadas have large, compound eyes that are located on either side of their head.
Tip 5: Antennae
Cicadas have long antennae that are located on the front of their head.
Tip 6: Mouthparts
Cicadas have sharp mouthparts that they use to pierce the bark of trees and suck sap.
By using these tips, you can learn to identify cicadas and appreciate their beauty and diversity.
Summary of key takeaways or benefits:
- Cicadas are fascinating creatures with a unique appearance.
- There are a variety of ways to identify cicadas, including their size, color, wings, eyes, antennae, and mouthparts.
- By learning to identify cicadas, you can better appreciate their beauty and diversity.
Transition to the article’s conclusion:
For more information on cicadas, please see the next section.
Conclusion
Cicadas are fascinating creatures with a unique appearance. They have large, clear wings, a black or brown body, and big eyes. Cicadas also have long antennae and sharp mouthparts. Cicadas are found all over the world, and they play an important role in the ecosystem.
Cicadas are a reminder of the beauty and diversity of the natural world. By learning more about cicadas, we can better appreciate their beauty and importance.