cicada
noun
-ˈkä- 
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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. Periodic 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. Then they emerge in large numbers to live aboveground as adults for a single week.
Example Sentences
Briana Rice, The Enquirer, 17 May 2021 See different species of colorful beetles, ants and an ant mound, a cicada, butterflies, a firefly, a stink bug, a ladybug, a peacock jumping spider, a dragonfly, a walking stick, a katydid, a caterpillar and a hissing cockroach. Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 6 July 2022 The app is free and tracks the location to verify the latest cicada sightings. Gabriela Miranda, USA TODAY, 24 May 2021 Peak cicada sightings will happen in about early to mid-May, but experts predict some early birds may show up in late April. London Gibson, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Apr. 2021 Better, perhaps, to inject some rationality into the event, especially as the Brood X cicada relates to our yards and gardens. Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2021 But, in the span of two to four weeks, each cicada in this brood will molt, eat and try to mate before dying. Washington Post, 4 May 2021 Just four Indianapolis cicada spots have been reported to Cicada Safari, and all on the northeast side. London Gibson, The Indianapolis Star, 29 June 2021 One of Gene Kritsky's favorite moments from the Brood X cicada emergence in 2021 happened at his own home. Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 3 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
New Latin, genus name, from Latin, cicada
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing cicada
Kids Definition
cicada
noun