Cicadidae

Cicadidae is the largest family of cicadas, a group of true cicadas in the order Hemiptera. Members are found in many regions of the world and are characterized by robust bodies, large somewhat bulging eyes, and two pairs of clear wings that are typically held rooflike over the body when at rest. Adults range from roughly 1.5 to 5 cm in length. A distinctive feature is the tymbal organ on the abdomen of males, used to produce loud sounds through rapid bending of membranes; both sexes can produce sounds, but males are primarily auditory.

Life cycle: Cicadas undergo hemimetabolous development. Females lay eggs in slits in tree branches. Hatchlings emerge as nymphs and drop to the ground, then burrow and feed on xylem sap from roots for most of their immature life. Depending on species, the subterranean stage lasts two to many years; some North American cycles are 13 or 17 years for Magicicada, while many other species have annual or multi-year cycles. Adults live for days to weeks, mate, and die.

Ecology and distribution: Cicadidae occur worldwide in suitable habitats, especially temperate and tropical forests and woodlands. Emergence events can be synchronized or seasonal and provide a major food pulse for predators and scavengers. Diet consists of sap from trees and woody perennials.

Conservation and taxonomy: With thousands of described species, Cicadidae is a diverse group. They face threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change in some regions, though many species are abundant. Systematics place Cicadidae within the cicadoid lineage of Hemiptera; research continues on phylogeny and species boundaries.