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Solo Serenades WMA (429KB) MP3 (1227KB) WAV (4350KB)
Nearby Brood Din WMA (444KB) MP3 (1132KB) WAV (4522KB)
Male cicadas call from
trees. Each individual male tries to call louder than the
next in order to convince females to chose them for mating.
The
sound is made with structures known as tymbals which are
located on the sides of the first abdominal segment, near
the top just behind where the hindwings attach. Large muscles
contract, causing the tymbal surface to bend inwards which
produces a vibrating click. These vibrating clicking noises
are enhanced by a large air chamber that extends well into
the abdomen. Repeated contractions by thousands of cicadas
can create a spectacular din. Females chose the male that
interests them with a flick of their wings which stimulates
the male to come closer.
Sounds
courtesy of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
and John Cooley and David Marshall of the University
of Connecticut. Cicada mix by the Museum Audiovisual staff.
Tymbal photo courtesy of Amanda Hevel.
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