Cicadidae

Batsch, 1789

Typical Cicadas, True Cicadas

Subfamily Guides

Cicadettinae(Largeclasper Cicadas)
Cicadinae(translucent cicadas)
Tibicininae

is one of two in the superfamily Cicadoidea, containing approximately 3,400 in over 520 worldwide. Members are characterized by membranous wings, triangular arrangements of three ocelli on the , short bristle-like , and using tymbals. The family includes both species with staggered patterns and periodical species with synchronized multi-year . Cicadidae is distinguished from its sister family by more efficient sound-producing mechanisms.

Chlorocanta viridis by (c) Joshua Ebright, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Joshua Ebright. Used under a CC-BY license.

Diceroprocta olympusa by (c) Eridan Xharahi, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Megatibicen resonans by (c) Arturo Santos, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Arturo Santos. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cicadidae: //sɪˈkædɪdiː//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from by more efficient tymbal mechanisms and resonating chambers for sound production. Distinguished from other Auchenorrhyncha by the combination of large size, triangular ocelli, short bristle-like , and tymbal-based sound production. Distinguished from Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets) by sucking rather than chewing mouthparts and tymbal rather than stridulatory sound production.

Images

Habitat

Diverse including forests, woodlands, prairies, and urban areas. Some are habitat : Beameria venosa is a prairie obligate of loess hilltop prairies; Oligoglena sirintaylan occupies subalpine zones in gramineous vegetation of the Taurus Mountains. Nymphs develop underground, feeding on root xylem.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution on all continents except Antarctica. Particularly diverse in tropical and temperate regions. Periodical cicadas ( Magicicada) are restricted to eastern North America. High diversity in Vietnam (111 , 36 genera), New Zealand, Mediterranean Turkey, and the Bahamas archipelago.

Seasonality

varies by type. Annual cicadas: adults present each year, typically summer. Periodical cicadas: synchronized emergence every 13 or 17 years in spring (April–June in North America), triggered when soil temperature at 20 cm depth reaches approximately 17.9°C (64°F). Adult lifespan above ground is 2–4 weeks.

Diet

Nymphs and feed on xylem fluid from plant vascular tissue. Adults have been observed feeding on woody plants and Malus (apple); molecular gut content analysis confirms active feeding in adult Magicicada with plant present in mature adults but not in adults.

Life Cycle

Hemimetabolous development. laid in tree branches. Nymphs drop to ground, burrow, and feed on root xylem underground. Two main strategies: annual cicadas with staggered development (2+ year nymphal period, some emerge yearly); periodical cicadas with synchronized emergence (13- or 17-year cycles, all adults emerge together). Final nymphal instar emerges from soil, climbs vegetation, and to adult. Adults live 2–4 weeks.

Behavior

Males produce loud airborne sounds using tymbals to attract mates; four signal types documented: songs, calls, low-amplitude songs, and disturbance sounds. Brevisana brevis produces calls exceeding 100 decibels, the loudest known insect. Females respond to males with wing-flick clicks. Some use high-frequency calls for avoidance—Beameria venosa produces continuous high-frequency pulses inaudible to birds and lizards. Predator avoidance include high perching, hiding, fleeing, and synchronized mass .

Ecological Role

represents a resource pulse in local . Nymphal feeding on root xylem may influence tree physiology. serve as food source for numerous during emergence events. Excess xylem fluid is excreted, contributing to nutrient cycling.

Human Relevance

Cultural and scientific interest due to mass events. Periodical cicadas cause economic damage to orchard trees through -laying; growers avoid planting new trees in emergence years. Long-standing subject of biological research, particularly regarding evolution and satiation strategies. Subject of citizen science projects such as Safari App. Consumed as food by some cultures.

Similar Taxa

TettigarctidaeSister within Cicadoidea; distinguished by less efficient sound production mechanisms and other primitive features. Only two extant .
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, locusts)Often confused due to similar size and sound production; distinguished by chewing mouthparts, stridulatory sound production, and jumping hind legs. Cicadas have sucking mouthparts and tymbal sound production.

Misconceptions

Periodical cicadas are frequently misidentified as locusts due to mass , but they belong to Hemiptera (true bugs) with sucking mouthparts, not Orthoptera with chewing mouthparts. periodical cicadas were long thought not to feed, but molecular gut content analysis has confirmed active feeding on plant xylem.

More Details

Classification

Five recognized: Cicadettinae, Cicadinae, Derotettiginae, Tettigomyiinae, and Tibicininae. Classification has undergone extensive revision, with many moved from type to different tribes.

Evolutionary History

Earliest fossils related to date to Jurassic period. Stem-cicadids from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber suggest ancestral forms were silent or produced quiet sounds. Oldest modern cicadids date to Paleocene. Eoplatypleura from Eocene Messel Pit is earliest confirmed Cicadinae member.

Phylogeography

Studies of Maoricicada campbelli in New Zealand demonstrate strong geographic structuring and -mediated formation rather than vicariance, with evidence of secondary contact zones between divergent lineages.