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cicada
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Cicada Labeled diagram of a cicada with its right wings removed, showing internal features such as the intestine, ventriculus, esophagus, reproductive organ, air chamber, tympanic muscle, spiracles, ganglia, and beak. Labeled diagram of a cicada showing its external anatomy, including detailed parts of the wings, legs, head, and body such as forewing, hindwing, antenna, spiracle, tympanum, and copulatory organ.
How do cicadas inspire new forms of music?
Close-up of two 17-year cicadas with black bodies and orange eyes, perched on a branch, with a blurred green and brown background.
A newly emerged cicada hangs upside down from its brown exoskeleton on a branch, with its soft, pale green body still unfolding during the final molting stage.
Why do some cicadas appear every 17 years?
Close-up of a Magicicada septendecim cicada with red eyes and transparent veined wings perched on green leaves. Cicada and shell A 17-year periodical cicada (Magicicada) with transparent wings and orange legs clings to a blade of grass, photographed in North Carolina.
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cicada: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • Melissa Petruzzello
    Melissa Petruzzello (she/her) is Assistant Managing Editor and covers plants, algae, fungi, insects, spiders, renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles certain topics in Christianity, notably Protestant history and churches. 
  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Modified link of Web site: Clemson Cooperative Extension - Home and Garden Information Center - How to Identify, Understand, and Manage Cicadas. Sep 26, 2026
Add new Web site: ABC listen - Radio National Breakfast - Cicadas: Singing and Screaming through Summer. Mar 02, 2026
Add new Web site: Nature Communications - Mesozoic evolution of cicadas and their origins of vocalization and root feeding. Dec 10, 2025
Add new Web site: Nature Communications - Mesozoic evolution of cicadas and their origins of vocalization and root feeding. Sep 06, 2025
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - The best of both worlds: cicada males change costly signals to achieve mates while females choose a mate based on both calling and courtship songs. Jul 25, 2025
Added top questions and noted that the insects cannot bite or sting. May 20, 2025
Add new Web site: University of Cambridge - Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics - How do cicadas emerge together? Thermophysical aspects of their collective decision-making (PDF). Apr 25, 2025
Add new Web site: Purdue University - Extension Entomology - Emergence of the 17-Year Cicada. Feb 15, 2025
Add new Web site: University of Wisconsin-Madison - Wisconsin Horticulture - Cicadas. Oct 21, 2024
Media added. May 15, 2024
Add new Web site: University of Maryland Extension - Cicadas in Maryland. May 06, 2024
Article thoroughly revised and updated. Apr 02, 2024
Add new Web site: WebMD - Cicadas: What to Know. Dec 26, 2023
Add new Web site: Colorado State University Extension - Cicadas. Sep 07, 2023
Add new Web site: Clemson Cooperative Extension - Home and Garden Information Center - How to Identify, Understand, and Manage Cicadas. Jun 26, 2023
Add new Web site: The Canadian Encyclopedia - Cicada. May 17, 2023
Add new Web site: AZ Animals - Cicada. May 15, 2022
Add new Web site: Live Science - Cicadas: Facts about the loud, seasonal insects. May 15, 2022
Add new Web site: National Geographic Kids - Cicada. May 15, 2022
Corrected display issue. Jun 07, 2021
Media added. Apr 19, 2021
Added a map showing emergence years for cicada broods in the eastern United States. Apr 13, 2021
Updated the number of known cicada species. Jul 24, 2019
Corrected display issue. Mar 20, 2019
Media added. Mar 03, 2017
Add new Web site: BioKids - Cicadas. Dec 19, 2013
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Cicada. Apr 29, 2013
Added photos of different types of cicadas. Jan 13, 2012
Add new Web site: Australian Museum - Cicada. Nov 07, 2011
Added new Web site: National Geographic - Animals - Cicada. Aug 28, 2008
Added new Web site: Environmental Education For Kids - The Buzz on Cicada. Jun 17, 2008
Added new Web site: Enchanted Learning - Cicada. Mar 04, 2008
Article revised and updated. Mar 16, 2007
Added new Web site: Australian Museum - Cicadas. Oct 31, 2006
Added new Web site: BugGuide - Order Homoptera: Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies. Jun 02, 2006
Added new Web site: BugGuide - Order Homoptera: Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies. Jun 02, 2006
Article revised. Feb 16, 2001
Article added to new online database. May 04, 1999
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