Cicadidae

Definition

The family of true cicadas, containing roughly 3,400 described species in over 520 genera; the dominant and most diverse lineage of cicadas, distinguished from the relict family Tettigarctidae by the presence of tymbal organs for sound production and other derived traits. Members are large-bodied, plant-sucking insects with prominent compound eyes, membranous wings held roof-like over the body, and—in most species—prolonged subterranean nymphal development followed by mass synchronous adult emergence.

Etymology

From Cicada (type genus) + -idae (family suffix).

Example

Periodical cicadas (Magicicada spp.) belong to Cicadidae and are among the most intensively studied examples of long-term life-cycle synchronization and predator satiation in insects.

Synonyms

• true cicadas

Related Terms

• Tettigarctidae
• Hemiptera
• Auchenorrhyncha
• Cicadinae
• Cicadettinae
• tymbal
• Magicicada

Usage Notes

Cicadidae is the larger of the two extant cicada families; the sole other family, Tettigarctidae, contains only two rare Tasmanian and Australian species. Internal classification remains unstable, with subfamily boundaries (Cicadinae, Cicadettinae, Tibiceninae, etc.) contested among specialists. The family is sometimes referred to informally as 'true cicadas' to emphasize its exclusion of Tettigarctidae.