The Secret Music of Cicadas: An Entomologist’s Guide
Summary
Dr. Samuel Ramses, an entomologist with the United States Department of Agriculture, explains the unique anatomy behind the loud and unmistakable sound of cicadas. Their distinct cry is produced by their timbral organ, which is capable of making sounds unlike most insects, and their back end, that is hollow like a musical instrument to amplify the sound. The cicadas’ call is a key component to their survival to attract females for mating during their brief above-ground lifespan. Dr. Ramses draws a parallel between the cicadas’ mating call and the human need for social interaction and enjoyment of music.
Table of Contents
- Anatomy of Cicadas’ Sound-production Organs
- The Cicadas’ Unique Call
- The Reproductive Imperative
- The Females’ Call and Warning Call
- Cicadas’ Survival and Life Cycle
Introduction
The emergence of cicadas every 17 years in the East Coast and Midwest is a sight to behold. While many people might find the sound of cicadas unbearable or annoying, Dr. Samuel Ramses, an entomologist, sees so much more in these creatures. He spent a good portion of his night studying the cicadas and their unique anatomy that is capable of producing sounds that is unparalleled in the insect kingdom. In this Q&A article, Dr. Ramses takes us through the various aspects of cicadas that make them so fascinating.
Anatomy of Cicadas’ Sound-production Organs
Dr. Ramses describes cicadas as the loudest insects on the planet. They produce sounds ranging from traffic noise to pretty loud garbage disposal that can be heard up to a mile away. The sound is produced by the cicadas’ timbral organ, located on each of their bodies, that pulls on a section of their body arranged like a musical instrument. The buckling ribs on the sides of their body make a resonant and loud sound. Additionally, the back end of their body is hollow like a musical instrument to amplify the sound. Dr. Ramses points out that cicadas are more like a musical instrument than other noisy insects such as crickets and katydids.
The Cicadas’ Unique Call
Cicadas produce an intricate sound that Dr. Ramses describes as having a similarity with Tuvan throat singing, a type of singing with religious significance. Cicadas are able to chorus together in a very loud song to amplify the sound that they produce from their timbral organs. The males produce the call together and listen for female clicks indicating interest in the call. As they get more excited, they will even respond to rhythmic clicking noises made by anything, including garden tools and snap sounds.
The Reproductive Imperative
The cicadas’ call serves as a reproductive imperative to attract females. The males that can produce louder sounds are considered better candidates for fatherhood. By making the loudest sound possible, cicadas hope to attract females from a distance and mate as quickly as possible before they are eaten. The cicadas’ survival is ensured by their large population, and the call is the key element for attracting mates.
The Females’ Call and Warning Call
Dr. Ramses also points out that cicadas have two types of calls. One is the call to attract females, and the other is the warning call. Cicadas produce the warning call to help the rest of the population of cicadas to get away and not be killed. The back-and-forth of the call-and-response has a remarkable all-for-one, one-for-all dynamic.
Cicadas’ Survival and Life Cycle
Once the cicadas mate, the females lay their eggs on trees and die within a few weeks. The larvae fall to the ground and go underground to continue the 17-year cycle all over again. Dr. Ramses marvels at the cicadas’ survival strategy and their life cycle, which makes their emergence after 17 years all the more beautiful.
Conclusion
Through Dr. Ramses’ insights, we gain a newfound appreciation for the cicadas and their unique sound. The cicadas’ call serves as an example of how music plays a significant role in human and animal life. Other than their loud call, cicadas have shown how, like humans, they too crave social interaction and can show collective defense maneuvers. By studying the cicadas, Dr. Ramses provides us with a glimpse of the intricacies that lie behind one of nature’s most fascinating phenomena.
