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Members of a family of insects, cicadas have a stout body, wide blunt head, two pairs of transparent wings, prominent compound eyes, and three simple eyes. Most of the 1,500 known species are found in tropical deserts, grasslands, and forests. Males produce loud noises by vibrating membranes near the base of the abdomen. Most North American cicadas produce rhythmical ticks, buzzes, or whines, though the "song" of some species is musical. Periodical cicadas, including the well-known 17-year cicada (often erroneously called the 17-year locust) and 13-year cicada appear in regular cycles. Their larvae burrow into the ground, where they remain for 13 or 17 years, feeding on juices sucked from roots. They then emerge in large numbers to live aboveground as adults for only a few weeks.
Examples of cicada in a Sentence
Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Other types of cicadas produce an even bigger ruckus: Songs of the African cicada Brevisana brevis peak at nearly 107 decibels, about as loud as a jet taking off.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
The invasion is already underway: 17-year cicadas have been spotted in a few Southern states in the midst of warm spring weather.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 May 2025
Areas with a high cicadas presence often lure oak leaf itch mites through their eggs, Kritsky said.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 11 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Cicada.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cicada. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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