Cicadoidea

Definition

The superfamily of insects comprising all cicadas, placed in the suborder Auchenorrhyncha (order Hemiptera). Distinguished by large body size, prominent compound eyes, membranous wings held rooflike over the body, and, in males, sound-producing tymbal organs. The superfamily contains two families: the relictual Tettigarctidae (two extant species in Australia, the hairy cicadas) and the cosmopolitan Cicadidae (>3,000 described species). Most species have annual life cycles, though the North American genus Magicicada (periodical cicadas) exhibits synchronized 13- or 17-year emergence patterns.

Etymology

From Cicada (type genus) + -oidea (superfamily suffix)

Example

The superfamily Cicadoidea is divided into the families Cicadidae and Tettigarctidae.

Related Terms

• Cicadidae
• Tettigarctidae
• Auchenorrhyncha
• Hemiptera
• Magicicada
• tymbal
• periodical cicada

Usage Notes

Used as a proper noun in formal taxonomy; not pluralized. The superfamily rank distinguishes cicadas from smaller auchenorrhynchan relatives such as leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) and froghoppers (Cercopoidea). The family Tettigarctidae represents the sister lineage to all other cicadas and retains primitive traits including abdominal hairiness and non-tymbal sound production in males.