What kind of sounds do cicadas make?
Cicadas are famous for their loud, rhythmic calls. Male cicadas produce these sounds by rapidly vibrating membranes on their abdomens called tymbals. The result is a buzzing chorus that can reach up to 100 decibels—louder than a lawnmower.
Common cicada sounds include:
- Buzzes – steady, vibrating tones that rise and fall
- Whines – long, high-pitched calls often used in mating
- Clicks – sharp, mechanical notes
- Choruses – large groups of cicadas singing together, creating a wall of sound
- Drone-like hums – continuous background tones that define hot summer days
These calls serve multiple purposes, mainly attracting mates and establishing territory.
What is the difference between cicadas and crickets?
Though both are known for their distinctive summer sounds, cicadas and crickets are very different insects.
- Sound production: Cicadas use tymbals on their abdomen; crickets rub their wings together (stridulation).
- Time of day: Cicadas are active mostly during the hot daylight hours; crickets sing at night.
- Lifespan: Cicadas can spend years underground as nymphs, with some species emerging only every 13 or 17 years; crickets live much shorter lives.
- Volume: Cicadas are much louder, often producing sound that can be heard from hundreds of metres away.
- Habitat: Cicadas are usually found high in trees, while crickets stay closer to the ground.
Are cicadas endangered?
Most cicada species are not endangered, but their populations face pressures in some regions. Periodical cicadas, famous for their mass emergences every 13 or 17 years in North America, are particularly sensitive to habitat changes.
Threats to cicada populations include:
- Habitat loss due to deforestation and urban expansion
- Pesticide use that kills both cicadas and their insect prey
- Climate change affecting emergence cycles
- Light and noise pollution interfering with mating calls
- Human collection during large emergences
Despite these challenges, many cicada species remain resilient and abundant.
How can I support cicadas?
Cicadas play an important ecological role as food for birds, mammals, and other animals, while also helping aerate and fertilise soil. You can support them by:
- Reducing pesticide use – avoid chemicals that harm insects and disrupt food webs
- Planting native trees – cicadas depend on tree roots during their long underground nymph stage
- Preserving green spaces – protect forests, parks, and rural areas where cicadas thrive
- Supporting biodiversity – encourage healthy habitats for insects and pollinators
- Educating others – share the ecological importance of cicadas to reduce negative perceptions about their noise
If you have outdoor space, you can help cicadas by:
- Maintaining a mix of trees and shrubs for habitat
- Creating insect-friendly gardens with native plants
- Allowing natural ground cover to support cicada nymphs underground
- Avoiding unnecessary noise and light pollution during peak cicada seasons
