Family overview
Large, stout-bodied with wide-set bulging eyes and clear membranous wings held tent-like. Males have specialized 'tymbals' on abdomen to produce loud songs.
Periodical cicada emergences in eastern U.S. produce billions of insects synchronously — one of the world's most extraordinary insect events.
At a glance
Family facts.
Distribution
Worldwide
Habitat
Terrestrial
Approx. species
3,400
Notable members
Annual cicadas (Tibicen), periodical cicadas (Magicicada — 13- and 17-year cycles), dog-day cicada