The Singing Cicada Dimissa - Chyryldak Dimisstiki

Singing cicada dimissa - Cicadetta dimissa Hag

Like other equal-winged insects, the singing cicada dimissa is characterized by four wings of equal density and a proboscis that replaces its mouthparts. The proboscis contains long, thin, and very sharp bristles. With their help, the cicada easily pierces the bark of plants and sucks the sap, which is the only food for these insects.

In German, "cicadas" translates to "singing grasshoppers." They are called this because the male produces sounds that resemble either chirping, chattering, or singing.

The ancient Greeks had a poetic legend. Once, two musicians held a competition, during which one of them encountered a mishap. Then a cicada flew to this musician, sat on the spot of a broken string of his harp, and began to sing. The success was incredible. Since then, the cicada sitting on the harp has been considered a symbol of music among the Greeks.

However, female cicadas do not sing. It is enough for them to listen to the calling sounds of the male.

The musical abilities of cicadas have attracted human attention since ancient times. In the East, enthusiasts of their singing kept these insects in small cages. On hot summer days, people rested in the shade under trees, enjoying the original singing of cicadas.

Distribution: Northern Tien Shan

Insects of Kyrgyzstan